What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor in Maryland is the severity of a crime and the potential punishments associated with it. Generally speaking, a felony is considered a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and carries greater penalties such as longer prison sentences or larger fines. In Maryland, a felony is a crimeclassified as an offense which could result in up to a three-year prison sentence, or a larger fine of $2,500 or more. Examples of felonies in Maryland include murder, rape, burglary, and arson. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are less serious crimes which carry a lighter sentence of either one year in jail or a fine of less than $2,500. Examples of these types of crimes include shoplifting, disorderly conduct, or driving with a revoked license. In Maryland, felonies and misdemeanors both require a court appearance, however, felonies may require more than one court session due to the severity of the offense. If an individual is found guilty of a felony, they may face extensive jail time, probation, and other repercussions such as loss of voter rights or firearm privileges. When sentencing a defendant for a misdemeanor, the judge may opt for probation or other less drastic sanctions.

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