Criminal Defense
There are a number of ways in which a person can be charged with a criminal offense, and none of them is pleasant. However, the type of charge determines the degree of penalty for those who are found guilty. The most common types of criminal charges include:
* Infraction – a petty offense charged for violating an administrative regulation, ordinance, traffic rule, or municipal code. Penalties usually include fines
* Misdemeanor – a criminal offense of average seriousness. The penalties can include fines and short jail sentences
* Felony – a serious crime that usually includes willful intent or cruelty. The penalties can include costly fines, prison terms of a year or much more, often in a state prison rather than a local jail
The Constitution guarantees that an accused criminal be informed of any pending criminal charges. The 6th Amendment to the Constitution also requires that the final charges on which someone is charged be substantially the same as the original charge or the defendant may have any conviction reversed or vacated. In addition, it is vital that the defendant retain an attorney quickly, since the first steps in the criminal process begin to move speedily.