If you’ve been charged with a crime in Georgia, it’s important to understand what kind of charges you’re facing and what that means for your future. Crimes generally fall into three categories: felonies, misdemeanors, and violations. All of these can have serious consequences, but felonies are the most severe. Let’s break down the differences so you know what you’re dealing with.
Felony Offense
A felony is the most serious type of crime and can result in more than a year in prison. Felony charges are indicted by a grand jury or accused by the district attorney and usually prosecuted in Superior Court. If convicted, your sentence will likely be served in a state or federal prison, with penalties ranging from a year behind bars to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Felony convictions can haunt you long after you’ve served your time. You may struggle to find a job, keep relationships, or even secure housing. Worse still, many felony offenses in Georgia can never be erased from your record; they can follow you for life.
Misdemeanor Offenses
Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, but they can still cause significant problems. These charges are usually brought by the solicitor general’s office and handled in either municipal, probate or state court. The penalty for a misdemeanor is typically up to 12 months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but more serious misdemeanors—called high or aggravated misdemeanors—carry steeper fines.
In most cases, if you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you’ll serve your sentence in the local county jail, not a state or federal facility. Fortunately, many misdemeanors can sometimes be record restricted (formerly called expunged) from your record, giving you a second chance at employment or housing.
Violations
Violations, or infractions, are the least severe crimes. They often involve things like littering, or traffic tickets. Usually, these violations come with a fine, and jail time is rare. A violation won’t appear on your criminal record unless you fail to pay the fine or respond to the charges, in which case the situation can escalate.
The legal system can be overwhelming, and each type of crime carries its own set of consequences. While understanding your situation is important, having the right attorney by your side can make all the difference in the outcome. At The Blitch Law Firm, we’re committed to fighting for you, no matter what charges you face.
CALL THE BLITCH LAW FIRM TODAY TO DISCUSS YOUR CASE We fight for you, and we don’t back down. Every criminal charge holds potentially life-altering consequences. We don’t hold back on providing our clients the best possible criminal defense available. Both attorneys at Blitch Law Firm are former Assistant District Attorneys, so our unique insight on how the prosecution approaches cases equips us with the ability to see the case from all sides. If you, a family member, or a close friend faces criminal charges, contact The Blitch Law Firm today at 706-434-8770 or visit us at 7004 Evans Town Center Blvd., Third Floor, Evans, Georgia 30809 to discuss your unique case and our creative defense strategies with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys.
DISCLAIMER
The content on this site is offered solely for informational purposes and might not represent the current law in your jurisdiction. None of the details provided here should be interpreted as legal advice from The Blitch Law Firm or from the individual writer. Additionally, it is not meant to replace professional legal advice. Readers should not base their actions or decisions to abstain from actions solely on the information found in or available through this site. Instead, they should seek tailored legal or other expert counsel regarding their specific situation from an attorney or other professional authorized to practice in the reader’s state, nation, or other relevant licensing area.