Misdemeanor Charges:
“Misdemeanor” is an umbrella term used to describe the severity of a crime. A misdemeanor is a crime that is punishable by up to 12 months. Misdemeanors differ from felonies in procedural ways as well. A jury trial for a misdemeanor only requires 6 jurors (as opposed to 12). Additionally, the State’s duty to disclose evidence before trial is less stringent. There are many types of crimes that can be misdemeanors, including: theft, shoplifting, some domestic violence, driving offenses, marijuana charges, battery, and assault.
Misdemeanors are less severe than felonies, but they are not entirely harmless. While many misdemeanors do not result in jail time, drawing the wrong prosecutor can result in the State trying to jail someone for an isolated incident or misunderstanding. Additionally, prior misdemeanor convictions are counted against you in the future. Prior convictions of DUI, shoplifting, battery (family violence), driving on a suspended license, and others, can stack up to make the same conduct a felony in the future. It’s important to fight to keep your record as clean as possible.
There are a variety of defenses to misdemeanor charges, and you need a criminal defense attorney that has the knowledge and skill to implement them to keep your record clean. Thayer will work hard to explore the facts of your case and present the best defense to secure your desired outcome.