What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

In Washington state, felonies and misdemeanors are both types of crimes but they are classified differently. A felony is the most serious type of crime. It is punishable by more than one year in prison, or sometimes even life in prison. Felonies generally involve serious physical and/or mental harm to another person, large-scale fraud, or situations where the offender has previously been convicted of the same or similar crime. Examples of felonies include murder, rape, burglary, and embezzlement. A misdemeanor, on the other hand, is a less serious crime. It usually carries a sentence of one year or less in jail. Usually, misdemeanors are not as severe as felonies and generally involve smaller-scale offenses such as simple assault, petty theft, or minor drug possession. When it comes to white collar crimes, the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor is largely dependent on the severity and financial value of the offense. A felony white collar crime generally involves large amounts of money, or a sophisticated criminal scheme. Examples include money laundering, tax fraud, and bribery. On the other hand, a misdemeanor white collar crime generally involves a lesser amount of money and does not involve a scheme or conspiracy. Examples include check fraud and insider trading. In Washington state, felonies and misdemeanors are viewed very differently. Generally, felonies are seen as more serious offenses with longer sentences and more serious consequences. Misdemeanors, while still serious offenses, are seen as less serious and often involve lesser jail sentences. It is important to understand the difference between the two so that you can understand the potential consequences of any criminal offense.

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