Felony and Misdemeanors in Oakland County

If you have been charged with a crime in Oakland County, you probably have many questions regarding the charges you are facing, especially if this is your first arrest. At Long Law PLLC, we understand how bewildering it can be to find yourself confronted with the legal terminology and procedure involved in your arrest, booking, hearing and trial. It is vital for you to have a firm understanding of the basic concepts involved in your case, and a knowledgeable Oakland County criminal defense lawyer from our team will take the time to discuss the situation and answer your questions. One of the most important issues facing you right now is whether you are being charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.

The basic distinction between a felony and a misdemeanor is that while they are both crimes, a felony is more serious than a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor can only be punished by up to a year in county jail, while a felony can send you to a Michigan state correctional facility for over one year or up to a life sentence. The fines are also generally higher for a felony, with figures ranging in the thousands rather than hundreds of dollars. Both types of crime will appear on a criminal background check, but it is especially important to avoid having to live the rest of your life as a convicted felon.

Oakland County Criminal Defense Attorney

Classification of a crime as a felony or a misdemeanor is intended to reflect the severity of the offense. For example, violent crimes like rape and murder are felonies, while minor theft crimes and a first-time OWI/DUI are charged as misdemeanors. A misdemeanor will usually be increased to a felony on a second or third offense, and aggravating factors can also increase the crime. It is sometimes possible to negotiate to have a felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor in order to lessen the penalty for a conviction where an acquittal is not possible. To find more about this aspect of your case, come to our office for a consultation today.

Contact an Oakland County criminal defense lawyer for dedicated representation against felony or misdemeanor charges.