When you think about getting in serious trouble, you might think about being charged with and convicted of a felony crime. Obviously, a felony is a much more serious charge than a misdemeanor, and it can affect things like your ability to own a gun. Even though felonies are certainly the most serious when you are comparing misdemeanors and felonies, however, a misdemeanor is not something that you should take lightly.
For one thing, some people do not realize that a misdemeanor, depending on the crime that you are charged with and the situation, can result in jail time. Some are under the misconception that only those who are convicted of felonies go to jail or prison, but this is not the case at all. Many misdemeanor charges carry potential jail sentences, some of them surprisingly long. If you are facing misdemeanor charges, there is a chance that your freedom is at stake, even if you are only sentenced to probation rather than an active sentence.
A misdemeanor conviction can affect your life in other ways, too. Many jobs no longer just ask about felonies; instead, you might be asked if you have ever been convicted of any crime. Speeding tickets and other basic traffic citations generally don’t count, but misdemeanors often do. Plus, being convicted of a misdemeanor can affect your reputation, can affect the possibility of renting a home or apartment and more.
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you should not take the situation lightly just because it isn’t a felony charge. Instead, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to assist you with your case. If you are looking for a lawyer who you can trust, contact us at Anderson Law Firm, PLLC today.
DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article does not constitute an attorney-client relationship. Please contact attorney Kirk Anderson for an initial consultation.