Which is worse felony or misdemeanor

Please enter your last name. Please enter your email address. This isn't a valid email address. This isn't a valid phone number. Are you a new client? Yes, I am a potential new client No, I'm a current existing client I'm neither. 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. An offense that was prosecuted as a felony may also be downgraded to a misdemeanor at the time of sentencing.

This occurs when statutes authorize judges to punish offenders as either misdemeanants or felony offenders. Randy is convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. State law provides that the offense is punishable by up to one year in jail or up to five years in prison. The judge sentences Randy to four months in jail, three years of probation, and hours of community service. The sentence makes the conviction a misdemeanor. Depending on the circumstances, you may not need a lawyer for something like a traffic-ticket case.

But for the overwhelming majority of criminal cases, using an attorney is the way to go. Beyond the sentence the judge imposes, a criminal conviction can carry long lasting consequences. If your lawyer can't avoid a conviction, he or she might be able to get you a better result than you would have otherwise.

And an experienced lawyer will be able to protect your rights and fully explain the applicable law, your options, and the potential outcomes. You can use Nolo's Lawyer Directory to find an experienced criminal law attorney near you. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.

The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Grow Your Legal Practice. Meet the Editors. Sentencing Basics. Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions: Classifying Crimes. Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state.

Market Your Law Firm. Lawyer Directory. Call us at 1 Colorado Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences. Felonies in Colorado are punishable by state prison terms of one year or more.

Class 1 Felonies Class 1 felonies are the most serious crimes in Colorado, punishable by life imprisonment. Drug Felonies Colorado law treats drug felonies differently than other felony offenses, dividing them into levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Statutes of Limitations For many crimes, there is a time period, called the statute of limitations , during which the state must begin criminal prosecution or the defendant can have the case dismissed. Getting Legal Help Felony convictions can have life-long consequences. Talk to a Lawyer Start here to find criminal defense lawyers near you. Practice Area Please select Zip Code.

How it Works Briefly tell us about your case Provide your contact information Choose attorneys to contact you.