Criminal law is poles apart from any other law. If you are accused of a crime, you have a better understanding of criminal law. Many people do not realize that only the prosecutor may decide to file a complaint, or that judges and juries do not have the final say on sentencing. Do not rely on TV to become familiar with criminal law.
Look up the appropriate criminal law. This will be incorporated in the order for after the arrest. If no arrests have been made, make an online search of Title 18, the Penal Code and United States Code (for federal crimes) in your state. Penalties can vary widely depending on whether the accusation is based on federal or state law.
Consider whether the offense is a felony or a transgression. This will be pointed out in the text of the applicable criminal law. Convictions for serious crimes are often punished with in excess of 1 year in jail. In a few cases, the same act can be categorized as a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstances — such as, the taxable value of a point of burglary, or if the crime was a first offense.
For more details on the criminal law contact The Law Office of Jeffrey H. Garland, P.A. to hire a qualified Fort Pierce Criminal Defense Lawyer, and limits his practice to criminal defense in both state and federal courts.