Federal charges, brought by the United States government, can be classified as either felonies or misdemeanors. In the United States, criminal offenses can be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels, depending on the nature and scope of the crime. Understanding the distinction between these two types of charges and their penalties is crucial for anyone facing federal prosecution.
Federal Misdemeanor Charges
Federal misdemeanors are less severe offenses than federal felonies. Examples of federal misdemeanors include:
- Petty Theft: Minor thefts or shoplifting.
- Simple Assault: Minor physical altercations without severe injury.
- Possession of Small Amounts of Controlled Substances: Lesser drug possession offenses.
- Public Disorder: Acts like trespassing, vandalism, or public intoxication on federal property.
- Traffic Violations: Certain traffic offenses committed on federal lands or involving federal employees.
While still severe, these crimes typically involve lesser degrees of harm or illegal activity.
Penalties for Federal Misdemeanors:
While not as severe as federal felonies, federal misdemeanors do still come with punishments.
- Imprisonment: Sentences of up to one year in federal prison.
- Fines: Fines up to $100,000, depending on the specific offense.
- Probation: Supervised release with conditions, typically shorter than for felonies.
- Community Service: Court-ordered community service hours.
While these are just potential penalties, the exact ones will be decided by both the circumstances and severity of the crime.
Federal Felony Charges
Federal felonies are the most serious offenses under federal law. Examples of federal felonies include:
- Drug Trafficking: Large-scale drug distribution or manufacturing.
- White-Collar Crimes: Major fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and insider trading.
- Violent Crimes: Murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, and terrorism.
- Firearms Offenses: Illegal possession, sale, or use of firearms.
- Cyber Crimes: Hacking, identity theft, and large-scale internet fraud.
- Immigration Violations: Human smuggling or large-scale immigration fraud.
They are typically crimes that involve significant harm to individuals, national security, large-scale fraud, or widespread illegal activities.
Penalties for Federal Felonies:
Federal felonies will come with more severe penalties than federal misdemeanors.
- Imprisonment: Sentences can range from one year to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in extreme cases.
- Fines: Significant monetary fines, often in the hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.
- Probation: Supervised release after imprisonment, with strict conditions.
- Restitution: Compensation to victims for their losses.
Just as with federal misdemeanors, the exact penalties will be decided by both the circumstances and severity of the crime.
Federal Infraction
Additionally, there is a category known as federal infractions, which are even less severe than misdemeanors. Federal infractions include minor violations such as traffic tickets or regulatory offenses. Infractions typically result in fines but do not carry jail time.
Tulsa Federal Criminal Lawyers
Federal charges can be either felonies or misdemeanors, each with distinct characteristics and penalties. Felonies represent the most serious crimes with severe consequences, while misdemeanors, though less severe, still carry significant penalties. Understanding the nature of the charges and the legal process is crucial for anyone facing federal prosecution. If you’re facing federal charges, call our team at Tulsa Criminal Lawyers Law Firm at (918) 416-0358 or contact us online for a consultation with an attorney.