Every state in the U.S. breaks its crime categories down into two different classifications – felonies and misdemeanors.
Felonies are the more serious categories of crimes, with a conviction meriting state jail time for more than a year. In more serious cases, the penalty may be death. On the other hand misdemeanors, while still serious in terms of leaving a person with a criminal record that haunts them for the rest of their lives, often hand out prison terms of less than a year in county jail.
Within the two major categories are sub-categories that break down according to the severity of the crime. While neither of these two major categories are ones that people want to get charged with, the fact is life happens and so do criminal acts. If a person is about to be charged with a felony or misdemeanor, then it’s time to call Jay F. Fortier, P.C. of Chicago, Illinois, a noted criminal defense lawyer and aggressive litigator.
While superb litigation skills go a long way toward dealing with criminal charges, so does the cooperation of the person charged. A good criminal defense lawyer is unable to be of assistance if his or her client does not spill the whole story and holds any of the details back. Fortier knows this and makes it a point to tell his clients that nothing they say to him ever goes anywhere else. A good client rapport is crucial between the attorney and client.
“It does not matter if the client happens to be guilty of the charge as laid, that client is still entitled to a criminal defense,” stated Fortier. Indeed, that is the whole foundation the criminal justice system is built on in the United States, and we need to remember that those charged with crimes may not be guilty just because they have been charged with an offense.
The most serious misdemeanor is called a Class A misdemeanor with a jail sentence of a year or less and usually a fine of some sort. Class B misdemeanors usually don’t get jail terms that go over 180 days. Class C misdemeanors usually carry fines alone. None of this is set in stone and contacting a competent criminal defense attorney such as Jay F. Fortier, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois, will make an enormous difference in the outcome of the criminal charges.
If faced with a felony crime, don’t waste time talking to anyone except a first class criminal defense attorney, as the stakes in those cases are far higher. Contact Jay F. Fortier, P.C. immediately.
Patrick Warwick is the lead content contributor for Chicago Bankruptcy firm, The Law Office of Jay F. Fortier, P.C.. To speak with a Chicago bankruptcy lawyer or learn more about creditor rights, Chicago bankruptcy, Chicago bankruptcy lawyer, Chicago bankruptcy attorney, visit Westsidebankruptcy.com
