A Felony Attorney Can Help You Understand Your Case

Many felonies require the help of a felony attorney, as these types of crimes differ in many ways from misdemeanors, which are less serious. If you face punishment for a felonious crime, it is a good idea to get an understanding of the main differences that set felonies apart from misdemeanors. Once you know the basic details, you should talk to a lawyer to get your case started.

Felonies are typically punished by at least one year in either state or federal prison, though some of the most serious types may be followed by death through capital punishment. Once you are accused of this type of crime, you are allowed to get a felony attorney, or you can get one from the state if you cannot afford to hire your own. Note that some states require that you are only charged using a grand jury indictment, not just a written complaint as with a misdemeanor. You should talk to a lawyer about what your state does if you want to be as prepared as possible.

Another piece of information to know is that you may be more severely punished if there is an accident while you are committing a different crime. For example, if someone dies while you are committing a felony, you may be charged with murder instead of manslaughter, so keep this in mind if you think the charge seems too harsh for your situation. If, on the other hand, an accident occurs while you are in the middle of a misdemeanor, then you may get off easier than expected since the initial crime was less serious. The circumstances of what happened definitely matter, which is why it is best to get the guidance of a legal professional before assuming anything about your case.

Note that if you are convicted, your civil liberties will be restricted even after you serve your time. Many felons are worried about the time they will spend in prison, but the reality is that there are consequences after your serve time, too. For instance, you will have to report that you are a felon when you apply for jobs, which will limit your ability to develop a career. In fact, you might not be able to enter certain career fields at all, such as a police officer or lawyer. You may also not be allowed to vote, own a gun legally, or serve on a jury, so if you have always looked forward to doing these things, it is especially important that you reduce your charges or get them entirely thrown out using a felony attorney.

It is always important to seek legal advice after being accused of a crime, but it is especially crucial when felonies are involved. This is because the rules often change, and the punishment is usually harsher to suit the crimes. Therefore, you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to find out the first steps to reducing the charges so you can avoid enduring harsh penalties.