A felony charge is an accusation that has been levied against a person who has allegedly committed any serious violation of a public law. Illegal acts or crimes can be broken down into three basic categories – Petty offences, felonies or misdemeanors. When a person is charged with a felony it means that they are accused of having committed certain criminal acts such as rape, murder or kidnapping. Typically, felonies are categorized as per the severity of the crime. There could be cases where a convicted felon might have a larger number of restrictions placed on his or her rights as compared to a person who has been found to be guilty of any lesser crime.
Get legal help if you are charged
A felony is a serious crime and if you have been charged of one, you will need to hire the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. The punishment for felonies are generally very severe and only a qualified and experienced attorney who is aware about how the laws work for this charge will be able to help you clear your name. A person could be sentenced to a year or even more in a national or local prison. A person who has been found guilty of any capital offenses such a murder could possibly receive a life imprisonment or death sentence. The laws in every state differ and subsequently, the punishments also vary.
A range of crimes
A felony charge can range from a burglary and drug crime to murder. In the U.S, there are around 6 classes that most felonies are categorized in. Class 1 is the most serious offence and irrespective of what the actual sentence is, it is also accompanied by a considerably hefty fine, which can run into thousands of dollars. In some cases, a convicted felon can also lose his/her citizenship right. If the person is not a legal resident of the country, they also stand the additional risk of being deported.
In some states, convicted felons are not permitted to vote or find employ in the educational or legal fields or own a firearm. Employers might be legally permitted to inquire about the felony conviction record of a prospective employee. This can make it extremely difficult for a convicted felon to find suitable employment. Having a capable attorney who is well versed in criminal law, fighting your case in court can help in lowering the sentence and the fines associated with the crime.
If you are booked on a felony charge call The Law Office of Philip Averbuck. You will need an experienced attorney to represent you in court and fight on your behalf. Also check out our new page on Felony Charge.