Justia Lawyer Rating
10 Best, Attorney Client Satisfaction Badge from the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
Top 100 Trial Lawyers Badge from The National Trial Lawyers
Top 100 Badge from America's Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys
NADC
Avoo Rating, 10.0 Scott Grabel
Top 10, Attorney and Practice Magazine's, Criminal Defense Law Firm

Categories Of Crimes And Sentencing

More serious crimes in our society result in more serious sentences. Crimes are classified according to the level of punishment allowed. All crimes have sentencing guidelines set by law. Sometimes these sentencing guidelines allow the court significant discretion in setting the sentence. Many factors, including the criminal record of the defendant, the severity of the crime, whether multiple crimes are involved, and the remorse of the defendant can affect sentencing. There are three basic categories of crimes: felonies, misdemeanors, and minor offenses.

Felonies are generally defined as crimes punishable by a period of incarceration of a year or more. These are the crimes regarded by society as more severe. Substantial fines may also be part of the punishment. Common examples of felonies are crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, arson and robbery. Felonies also carry consequences after incarceration. For example, in some jurisdictions, a felony conviction can limit the right to vote, own a firearm, serve on a jury, and to obtain certain professional licenses. In those states, including Michigan, that have “three strikes” laws, only felony convictions count as “strikes.”

Misdemeanors are less severe crimes. They are generally defined as crimes punishable by a period of incarceration of less than a year. Often a defendant charged with a misdemeanor will only have to pay a fine and will not serve time in jail. Crimes such as vandalism, trespassing and public intoxication are common misdemeanors. Misdemeanors typically have fewer long-term consequences than felonies.

Minor offenses are also known as petty offenses or civil infractions. These are often based on local ordinances and are different from misdemeanors in that they do not carry the possibility of jail time. Minor offenses usually result in a ticket and a fine. The most common example of a minor offense is a parking ticket.

If you have been charged with a felony or misdemeanor, you should consult with an attorney right away. An experienced Michigan criminal defense attorney can make a tremendous impact on your case. At Grabel & Associates, we will work at all stages of your case to obtain the most favorable outcome possible. Call us today for a free confidential consultation at (800) 342-7896.

Client Reviews

★★★★★
If you are reading these reviews you are about to make a decision that will have a large impact on the rest of your life. I choose Grabel and Associates to represent me in my case and I could not have been more satisfied with the level of professionalism and dedication to their clients. I had the opportunity to meet and work with multiple lawyers in the practice all of which showcased a vast knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of the legal system. When you choose Scott Grabel to represent you will open yourself up to all of his resources. Depending on your case Grabel knows experts in all fields. I worked with polygraph examiners, investigators, and forensics experts. Grabel and Associates will defend without prejudice of innocence or guilt. Scott Grabel was able to lead me through every step of the process with great communication the whole way. I would recommend Scott Grabel and Associates to my friends, family and anyone who is in need of representation. B. A.
★★★★★
Best attorney in state of Michigan. Caring and a true friend. Scott was with us every step of the way. He fought for a great injustice for our son and was able to provide an outcome that gave his life back. L. A.
★★★★★
Scott and his firm did an awesome job representing a family member of mine, I would highly recommend him and his firm! They were extremely reliable, trustworthy and very informative and did a great job with the case. I couldn't be happier with the results that we received, I can't speak highly enough about the great job he did. If you are thinking about using his firm, I would highly recommend, I would definitely use his firm again if needed, he is an a great attorney with a great firm, you won't be disappointed! M. F.