What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in criminal defense law?
The primary distinction between a felony and a misdemeanor in criminal defense law is the severity of the offense. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor. In West Virginia, felonies are classified into three classes: A, B, and C. Class A felonies are the most severe and punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty. Class B felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while Class C felonies are the least serious felonies and punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Misdemeanors are considered less serious offenses than felonies. In West Virginia, misdemeanors are divided into three classes: A, B, and C. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious and are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500. Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $500. Class C misdemeanors are the least serious and are punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a maximum fine of $500. In general, felonies carry much harsher penalties than misdemeanors, including incarceration in a state or federal prison, the loss of certain rights, and the stigma of having a criminal record.
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