Criminal Law in Williamsport PA is a broad subject area. Generally speaking, though, it is the body of law that relates to the commissions of crimes rather than resolution of civil disputes. It is a formalized activity that is intended to establish the guilt of a person who has been accused of a crime and to authorize punitive treatment in the event that the defendant is convicted.
Understanding Felonies
The most serious types of criminal offenses in the United States are felonies. These types of crimes are usually punishable by imprisonment for more than a year, the imposition of fines, or a combination of the two. The sentences meted out to convicted offenders are largely influenced by whether or not the crime was violent, whether it involved drugs, and whether it involved children as well as the particular details of the defendant’s case and history.
Understanding Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors constitute a class of crimes that are less serious than felonies. These types of crimes are often further separated into three categories according to the severity of the crime committed. These categories are known as gross misdemeanors, ordinary misdemeanors, and petty misdemeanors and punishments are typically meted out according to what class of misdemeanor the defendant has committed.
Understanding Infractions
Infractions, which are sometimes referred to as petty offenses, are usually violations of regulations, ordinances, and codes rather than serious crimes. The prosecution of infractions still falls under the category of Criminal Law in Fredericton, though, and defendants can still face fines and limited incarceration in local jails. Examples of infractions include traffic violations, littering, drinking in public, disturbing the peace, building permit violations, boating violations, improper licensing of businesses, and campsite violations, though petty offenses can also take a number of other forms.
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What all of these types of crimes have in common is that they can have a lasting impact on defendants’ lives. Anyone who has been charged with a crime, regardless of its severity, is entitled to the legal help of a criminal defense attorney, so it’s a good idea to look into options as soon as possible after the crime has been committed.
