Have you been recently accused of a crime, and unsure what to do? We are here to help! Here is an in-depth look at criminal law.

Criminal Law

Criminal law is the area of the law that includes crimes committed either to a person or by a person. You can be the one who has committed a crime or the victim of a crime. A crime is considered an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed dangerous to the public welfare, morals, or the interests of the state, and that is legally prohibited. In other words, a crime is something that harms someone or something in any way, shape, or form. Criminal law is a broad topic that has many ins and outs specific to states, situations, and more. So it’s essential to understand your state’s laws. If you have been recently accused of committing a crime, the first thing to do is seek legal help. An attorney is one of the best people to have on your team during a criminal charge.

Types of Crime

As stated before, different crimes may constitute something else depending on the state you are in. In addition, our legal system is primarily comprised of two different types of cases: civil and criminal. Criminal cases are charges pursued by prosecutors for violations of criminal statutes. The different types of crime categories are listed below.

• Homicide
• Property Crimes
• Crimes Against the Person
• Fraud and Financial Crimes
• Alcohol Crimes
• Public Safety Violations
• Curfew Laws
• Drug Charges
• Sex Crimes
• Crimes Against Children
• Cyber Crimes
• Crimes Against Justice
• Crimes Against the Government
• Attempt, Conspiracy, and Aiding

Each category has a more in-depth explanation of what each charge means. For more detailed explanations on these types of crimes, check out FindLaw here.

Categories

The two main categories that these types of crimes fall into are either felonies or misdemeanors. These two categories are very different from one another because one is worse than the other. A felony is the most severe type of crime you can commit that result in lengthy jail or prison sentences, fines, or permanent loss of freedoms. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime in comparison to a felony. They usually involve jail time, smaller fines, and temporary punishments. Typically misdemeanors pail in comparison to felonies.

When dealing with a criminal charge, you must know if it falls under a misdemeanor or felony, because this will guide the next step in your path. Regardless of the severity of the crime, you should always consult a lawyer. You are required by law to have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot avoid it, one will be provided to you. This is for a reason. An attorney is one of the only people who can help you when dealing with criminal law!

If you want to learn more about criminal law and the importance of an attorney, check out The Slaughter Law Firm. At Slaughter Law, we have provided over 21 years of expertise and assistance to those in need. In other words, we are here to help! Our lawyer, Frankie Slaughter Jr., specializes in personal injury, criminal law, worker’s compensation, social security disability, tax matter, probate matters, domestic issues, and employment law. To schedule an appointment, please visit us online here or call us at (423) 844-0560 today!