What kind of misdemeanors are there

Ginger receives a speeding ticket. After Ginger and the officer who issued the ticket testify, the judge concludes that Ginger was speeding.

Ginger's punishment is limited to a fine and the addition of a point to her driving record. Misdemeanors are criminal offenses that carry up to a year in jail in most states. Some states have made the maximum imprisonment for many or all misdemeanors days; that change is designed to avoid deportation consequences that would have been triggered if the misdemeanor in question carried the possibility of, or if the misdemeanor defendant actually received, a full one-year sentence.

Punishment for misdemeanors can also include payment of a fine, probation, community service, and restitution. Defendants charged with misdemeanors are often entitled to a jury trial. Indigent defendants charged with misdemeanors are usually entitled to legal representation at government expense. Some states subdivide misdemeanors by class or degree or define more serious misdemeanor offenses as "gross misdemeanors. Misdemeanor Example. Dave is convicted of simple assault. It's a misdemeanor.

For example, see Cal. Penal Code Felonies are the most serious type of criminal offense. Felonies often involve serious physical harm or threat of harm to victims, but they also include offenses like white collar crimes and fraud schemes.

Offenses that otherwise are misdemeanors can be elevated to felonies for second-time offenders. A felony conviction, like a misdemeanor conviction, may not result in time behind bars. But felonies carry potential imprisonment that ranges from time in prison a year is often the low end to life in prison without parole or even death.

As with misdemeanors, states may also subdivide felonies by class or degree. Felony Example 1. Randy is convicted of felony assault with a deadly weapon even though the bottle that he threw at another patron in a tavern missed its intended target. Even though he failed to injure the intended victim, his behavior was intended to and did create a risk of serious physical injury.

Felony Example 2. Leora had two prior shoplifting convictions before being arrested for yet another shoplifting offense. State law allows prosecutors to charge shoplifting as a felony if the merchandise was worth a certain amount and the defendant has two or more prior shoplifting convictions.

The prosecutor charges Leora with felony shoplifting. See Miss. A " wobbler " is an offense that may be prosecuted as a felony or as a misdemeanor. This means that we are available to our clients, and that we will work hard in order to obtain satisfactory results. We also take juvenile crime cases! Take advantage of our experience and fight for your rights! Call for a case evaluation. Different Types of Misdemeanors in Texas Misdemeanor offenses are much more common than felony charges.

Some of the common types of misdemeanors in Texas include the following: First Offense DWI Second Offense DWI Family Assault Violence Possession Theft Texas Misdemeanor Penalties Whether you are convicted of petty theft or other crimes, you can trust that our firm has the experience and expertise necessary to effectively represent your interests and advocate on your behalf!

Scott H. Palmer Founding Attorney View Profile. Rebekah Perlstein Attorney View Profile. Sorsha Huff Attorney View Profile. David Wilken Attorney View Profile. Russell Turkel Attorney View Profile. Murder Verdict Reversed. Drug Possession Case Dismissed. Indecent Exposure Removed Client from Registry. It is not necessary for the victims or witnesses to appear at this arraignment, unless they have been specifically instructed to do so by the case agent or the Assistant United States Attorney.

Petty offenses are most often initiated by the issuance of a traffic violation notice TAN. A TAN is issued to defendants by the law enforcement officer at the time of the offense. The TAN commands the defendant either to pay a fine to dispose of the matter or to appear before the United States Magistrate on the date written on the ticket.

Most often the case will be heard for trial before the United States Magistrate on that date, if the fine is not paid. If you are a victim or a witness in one of these petty offense cases, the United States Attorney's Office may request that you attend a witness conference prior to trial.

A trial of a misdemeanor case follows the same pattern as the trial of any other criminal case before the court. The prosecution and the defense have an opportunity to make an opening statement, then the Assistant United States Attorney will present the case for the United States. Each witness called for the United States may be cross-examined by the defendant or the defendant's counsel. When the prosecution has rested its case, the defense then has an opportunity to present its side of the case.

The United States may then cross-examine the defendant's witnesses. When both sides have rested, the prosecution and the defense have an opportunity to argue the merits of the case to the court, or, in a case which is being heard by a jury, to the jury in what is called a closing argument. Some serious misdemeanor cases are heard with a jury, either before the Magistrate or before the United States District Court Judge.

The judge or the jury will then make findings and deliver a verdict of guilty or not guilty of the offense charged. In petty offense cases, the court may proceed immediately after the verdict to sentencing. The defendant and the United States each has an opportunity to speak to the issue of sentencing.