Misdemeanor Crimes

Misdemeanor arrests are so prevalent in Jackson and throughout Mississippi. It seems like just about anybody can get slapped with a misdemeanor arrest. Although these are typically considered to be ‘lesser’ or ‘lighter’ charges than the more ominous felony charges, it’s still really important to take them seriously. 

It doesn’t take long for a couple of misdemeanor charges to really impact your life and livelihood. As soon as you’ve been charged or arrested for a misdemeanor crime, you need to speak with an experienced and proven criminal defense attorney about your case.

The Lesser Crime

Misdemeanors are typically considered the “lesser crimes.” The penalties aren’t as harsh, and if convicted, you shouldn’t spend more than one year behind bars in jail. People convicted of misdemeanors aren’t usually headed to maximum-security federal correctional facilities. In most cases, you’ll likely have to serve out your months-long sentence in the local county jail. Likewise, the stigma associated with misdemeanor convictions and arrests is much lighter than with felony offenses. For a variety of reasons, misdemeanors are known as lesser crimes. Listed below are a few examples of misdemeanor crimes.

Examples of Misdemeanor Crimes

Injury Associated With Misdemeanor Crimes

Misdemeanor charges are usually reserved for crimes where nobody was seriously injured. The severity of a victim’s injury can quickly escalate a charge from misdemeanor to felony assault. Minor fisticuffs could typically be regarded as misdemeanor crimes. If somebody is seriously injured, no matter what crime you were involved in, it’s possible to face additional charges or even felony charges. Since misdemeanors are considered the lesser crimes, they aren’t usually associated with serious bodily injury or death.

Monetary Value of Property Involved

Another element of any misdemeanor case is the amount of monetary value associated with a case, especially involving theft. Petit larceny is a misdemeanor charge reserved for the theft or shoplifting of items valued at less than $500. If you go over $500, you could be facing felony charges. Since the value of certain items, especially in used or not-new condition, can be contentious, it’s essential to speak with your lawyer about any concerns you have over the value of items in question. It could be the difference between spending a few months in jail or a few years in a correctional facility.