Misdemeanor vs. Felony Charges in Alabama

Crimes primarily fall into two principal categories: misdemeanors and felonies. The severity of your crime will dictate whether you face a misdemeanor or felony charge in Alabama.

Misdemeanors, by nature, are lesser offenses, leading to penalties such as short-term jail time, community service, fines, rehabilitation programs, and probation. On the other hand, felonies are more concerning acts that may result in incarceration for a year or longer, often for years.

You should take any type of criminal charge seriously, whether it is a misdemeanor or felony charge. Always seek help from an Alabama criminal defense attorney at Luck Law Firm. 

Misdemeanor Charges

Misdemeanors might be less severe than felonies, but they can have life-altering effects on your life. The following are some examples of different degrees of Alabama misdemeanors.

Class A: Misdemeanor Crimes and Penalties

Class A misdemeanors can have a maximum jail sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $6,000. These misdemeanors include cruel treatment towards dogs or cats, third-degree domestic violence, or violations of domestic violence protection orders. 

Class A misdemeanors also include fourth-degree theft of property or services and third-degree assault or assault with bodily fluids, including saliva.

Class B: Misdemeanor Crimes and Penalties

Class B misdemeanors are mid-level crimes that command sentences of up to six months in jail, accompanied by a fine not surpassing $3,000. 

Some Class B misdemeanor offenses include menacing behavior, second-degree stalking, theft of cable TV service, and acts of resisting arrest.

Class C: Misdemeanor Crimes and Penalties

Class C misdemeanors carry sentences that span up to three months in jail, alongside a fine of up to $500. 

These charges include trespassing on fenced or enclosed property, indulging in harassment through shoving or abusive language, engaging in public lewdness, and provoking disorderly conduct.

Felony Charges

In Alabama, a felony is a serious criminal offense, more severe than a misdemeanor, carrying significant consequences upon conviction. Felonies are subdivided into four classes, from the most serious, Class A, to the least severe, Class D. 

Class A Felonies: Sentences and Examples

With Class A felonies, there are severe penalties possible, from life imprisonment to jail terms spanning 10 to 99 years. 

Class A felony crimes include first-degree rape involving forced sex, incapacitated victims, or victims under 12 years old, as well as first-degree kidnapping, entailing abduction for ransom, as hostages, or for sexual abuse. 

Class B Felonies: Sentences and Examples

Class B felonies wield sentences ranging from two to 20 years of imprisonment. This class of felonies includes first-degree assault, first-degree manslaughter, and second-degree rape (statutory rape) concerning sex with a minor aged 12 to 15 by a defendant aged at least 16 and two years older than the victim. 

Class C Felonies: Sentences and Examples

Class C felonies are crimes that can lead to 366 days to a decade behind prison walls. These crimes include third-degree robbery, marked by actual or threatened force, looting, interference with custody through the taking of a child from a parent with legal custody, and first-degree stalking. 

Class D Felonies: Sentences and Examples

Class D felonies carry sentences ranging from 366 days to five years. Crimes include pickpocketing, fraudulent or unauthorized use of credit or debit cards, the theft of property valued beyond $500 yet less than $1,500, and the possession of controlled substances (illegal drugs) for personal indulgence.

Speak with a Criminal Defense Lawyer At Luck Law Today To Discuss Your Case

There are critical distinctions between misdemeanor and felony charges, but both are serious matters. Luck Law Firm handles all types of criminal cases, and we can build a strong defense for you. Please contact us here today for the legal help you need.