Criminal Defense Lawyers
Criminal law is a term used to describe the laws that relate to crime and the procedures used to prosecute criminals within a society. All persons charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty.
An individual charged with a crime should consider hiring a criminal defense attorney. The term criminal defense refers to the defense of a person accused of a crime or of a person being investigated for criminal activities. There are many crimes that require criminal defense attorneys. Some of these include murder, burglary, arson, embezzlement, credit card fraud, domestic violence, child abuse, computer crimes, drug offenses, and sex offenses.
How Serious is Your Offense?
A crime is a behavior that can be punished by fine, imprisonment or both. There are three types of crime: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.
Types of criminal infractions include:
- Traffic violations
- Parking violations
- Noise citations
Types of criminal misdemeanors include:
- DUI or DWI (Driving Under the Influence)
- Petty theft
- Trespassing
- Vandalism
- Disorderly conduct
- Prostitution
- Public intoxication
- Simple assault
Types of criminal felonies include:
- Murder
- Rape
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
- Drug possession
- Drug trafficking
- Burglary
- Larceny
- Weapons offense
- Aggravated assault
- Identity theft
- Money laundering
- Tax evasion
- Embezzlement
The difference between infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies is the gravity of the crime and hence the punishment for each. An infraction is usually punishable by a fine, a misdemeanor is punishable by a sentence of one year or less in prison and a felony is punishable by a sentence of over one year in prison.
It is important to note that criminal law various in states. Some states have different classifications for crimes. For example, a misdemeanor crime in one state may be considered a felony in another. If you’ve been arrested for a crime it is important to consult with an experienced criminal law attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
What Happens After Being Arrested
There are several criminal law procedures that a defendant may undergo after they have been arrested. These include:
- Booking
- Arraignment
- Bail
- Preliminary hearing
- Trial
- Sentencing
- Punishment
- Appeal
Depending on the nature of the crime, the defendant will be prosecuted under federal criminal procedure or state federal procedure (varies from state to state).
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with a crime, it’s important to contact an experienced criminal law attorney who is familiar with your states laws.
