What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?

Last updated on December 20, 2022

Whenever someone is charged with a crime, the consequences are always serious. Even though you may think the crime is minor, even a misdemeanor can change your life forever. At the same time, the two are not the same. That is why it is important to understand the difference between a misdemeanor charge and a felony charge. If the police are investigating you for possible criminal activity, you need to reach out to a lawyer as quickly as possible. That way, you can form a strong defense. Furthermore, you may also need to talk to your lawyer about the difference between misdemeanor DUI vs. felony aggravated DUI charges. What do you need to know about the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony?

A Misdemeanor Is Not Always a Minor Crime

Even though there are a lot of people who believe a misdemeanor is a minor crime, there is nothing minor about it. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you may have something on your background check for the rest of your life. This could make it very difficult for you to get a job or to find a place to live. Furthermore, just because it is a misdemeanor doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have to go to jail. There are plenty of misdemeanor offenses that could send you to jail for a year or more. Therefore, if you are being investigated for a misdemeanor, you have to take the situation seriously.

A Felony Is Always Serious

On the other hand, if you are being investigated for a felony, the stakes are significantly higher. A felony is a serious crime, and you can face massive penalties. For example, there are some felony convictions that could send you to jail for a decade or more, and you could end up spending the rest of your life in jail. The fines associated with felony convictions could be in the tens of thousands of dollars, and it could make it nearly impossible for you to get a job in the future. If you believe you could be charged with a felony, you need to reach out to a lawyer as early as possible.

You Lose Your Right To Vote With a Felony Conviction

Another major punishment that comes from a felony conviction is that you could lose your right to vote. Your right to vote is your voice in our democracy, and you need to make sure that you protect that voice. After you are convicted of a felony, you may be able to get your right to vote back, but you may need to apply for that right and appeal to the governor or legislature. If you reach out to a lawyer as early as possible, he or she may be able to negotiate a plea deal that can keep a felony off of your record. Furthermore, a lawyer could prevent criminal charges from being filed at all.

Make Sure Your Rights Are Protected

Regardless of the type of crime, you might be investigated for, you need to reach out to an attorney who can help you as early as possible. An attorney can talk to the people on the other side of the case, making sure they understand the complete situation. There are some situations where an attorney might be able to prevent criminal charges from being filed against you at all. No matter how much you might think the facts are on your side, you need to reach out to a lawyer as quickly as possible. That way, you can make sure your rights are adequately protected.