Criminal law is the specific branch of law that deals with those who have committed crimes. Federal, state, and local branches of government all have codes that cover offenses committed, and punishment of criminals may face. According to Justia, specific acts may vary, but most crimes either fall into the two categories known as misdemeanors and felonies. This is the case in all states. There are some common questions asked about criminal law that we want to answer for you. Here are some of the more popular questions asked concerning criminal law.

Common Criminal Law Q&A

What is a misdemeanor?

Misdemeanors are known as lesser crimes in comparison to others. Some common crimes that fall under misdemeanors include vandalism, trespassing, and simple assault. As a result, the punishments differ from more serious crimes. Some misdemeanor punishments include up to a year in jail, fines, or a combination of the two.

What is a felony?

A felony is known for being a more heinous crime in comparison to misdemeanors. These crimes typically display more aggressive behavior. Common felonies include murder, rape, and kidnapping. The punishment stems from the severity of the situation and what the state sees fit.

Are there different types of crimes?

Yes. All states use a code to describe the severity of each crime. For example, some states use letters like A, B, C, while others use numbers like one, two, and three. Felonies or misdemeanors in class A or one are considered the most serious. B and two are dangerous, and so on. In addition, a felony will always be more severe than a misdemeanor regardless of the code used.

You can click here for a list of each state’s specific codes.

Common Terms

1. Guilty: You admit to the crime.
2. Not guilty: You claim to not committing the crime.
3. No contest: You do not admit guilt but don’t dispute the charges.
4. Plea bargain: You admit guilt to lesser charges in exchange for a lesser sentence.

Your Rights

As a human being, you have constitutional rights that follow into the criminal justice system. In other words, even though you are accused of a crime, you still retain rights as anyone else would. You have the right to a fair trial, proper representation, equal treatment under the law, and protection against answering questions that could be used against you. For more information on your rights as a suspect in a criminal case, contact The Slaughter Law Firm.

At Slaughter Law Firm, we recognize that every person deserves proper representation regardless of the situation. If you find yourself in a criminal case facing charges, we can help. Frankie Slaughter Jr. has over 21 years of experience helping his clients in a variety of circumstances. Some of his specialty areas include criminal law, social security, workers’ compensation, work injuries, tax law, and last will and testaments. For more information on the services we provide, visit us online here today. Remember, you do not have to go through this alone! Contact Frankie Slaughter for help today.