What is a criminal charge? A criminal charge is a formal accusation made by a governmental authority asserting that somebody has committed a crime.
What is criminal law? Criminal Law refers to a body of laws that apply to criminal acts. In instances where an individual fails to adhere to a particular criminal statute, he or she commits a criminal act by breaking the law.
There are two types of criminal laws: misdemeanors and felonies. A misdemeanor is an offense that is considered a lower-level criminal offense, such as minor assaults, traffic offenses, or petty thefts. Moreover, in most states, the penalty for misdemeanor crime is typically one year or less.
In contrast, felony crimes involve more serious offenses. Some examples of felonies include murder, manslaughter, drug dealing, rape, robbery and arson. In virtually every state in the U.S, felonies carry a penalty of one year or more, depending upon the particular nature of the offense and the jurisdiction where the felony crime was committed. In addition, every state has a different body of criminal laws, which may vary from state to state.
Throughout their lifetime, a lot of people find themselves facing some type of criminal charges. Whether they are guilty or not, criminal charges are serious allegations that cannot be taken lightly. Such charges can literally destroy someone’s life. In these events, the wise approach is to seek legal help as soon as possible.
Our team at Castel & Hall LLP is always here to help. One of our offices is in the Trade center drive in Woburn across from the Middlesex superior court in Woburn. We are also located at 932 Concord St, Framingham, MA. Call Castel & Hall LLP: 617-716-6464 to schedule a consultation.