Felonies

Felony charges can range dramatically in their possible penalties—from a minimum of one year incarceration to up to life in prison. Recidivist, or repeat offender, laws can also serve to enhance or multiply a sentence. Another key difference between misdemeanor cases and felony cases is that felony cases must be presented to a Grand Jury which decides if there is enough evidence in the case to return an indictment, which officially charges felonies. Misdemeanor crimes can sometimes become felonies, if it is not a first offense. Unfortunately, felony cases can take months or even longer than a year to resolve. Because of their seriousness, felony cases require immediate legal help from the start—let criminal defense attorney Ryan C. Shreve guide you from the start.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanor charges are historically less serious than felony charges. The dividing line between misdemeanors and a felony is that misdemeanor charges only carry possible imprisonment for less than one year. State misdemeanor charges are heard in Magistrate Courts, not the larger Circuit Courts. Examples of misdemeanor charges are driving under the influence (DUI), assault and battery, driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license, or simple possession of drugs. Even though they are not as serious as felony charges, misdemeanors should not be taken lightly—they can still leave a lasting impression on your life. You should always contact an attorney to assist you with a criminal charge, and criminal defense attorney Ryan C. Shreve is here to help.