Crimes categorized as felonies or misdemeanors vary from state to state but in general a felony is a more serious crime and often times carry a harsher punishment. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses.

Crimes such as murder, armed robbery and rape are classified as felonies. Typically a felony charge carries a penalty of more than a year in a state prison. Some states have a 3 strikes law. The three strikes law targets repeat offenders. Individuals who have been charged and found guilty of at least 3 violent crimes or serious felonies may be sentenced to life in prison.

Shoplifting, domestic disputes and assaults are typically considered misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are usually punishable by fines, probation, community service, court supervision or less than a year jail sentence.

For someone who has been charged with a criminal offense in , whether it be a felony or misdemeanor, hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer is extremely beneficial. While the specific duties of a lawyer will vary depending on the specific case, in general a criminal defense lawyer will:

• Advise the Defendant of Their Rights and Explain What to Expect at Each Stage of the Criminal Law Process.
  The criminal process can be confusing for those who are not familiar with the legal system. It starts with the arrest of a suspect and moves through booking and bail, arraignment, plea bargains, preliminary hearings, pre-trial motions, jury trial, sentencing and finally appeals. A criminal defense lawyer will walk the defendant through the process step-by-step to make sure their rights are not violated during the process and they will advise the defendant in making decisions throughout the process that will result in the best possible outcome for the case.
• Ensure the Defendants Constitutional Rights are Not Violated.
• All suspects placed in police custody or in custodial interrogation must be advised of their rights related to the Fifth and Sixth Amendment of the Constitution. These rights are commonly known as Miranda warning or Miranda rights. The common warning states:

You have the right to remain silent.
Anything you say or do can and will be used against you in a court of law.
You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future.
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning.
If you decide to answer any questions now, without an attorney present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney.
If a police officer questions someone who has been arrested without first telling them their “Miranda” rights, the case could potentially be dismissed and anything the defendant told police while they were in custody is inadmissible in court. If you’ve been accused or arrested for a crime it is always a good idea to invoke your right to an attorney before saying anything to the police.

Throughout the criminal process the defendant has other rights guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. These rights include but aren’t limited to:

The right to counsel, even if you cannot afford a lawyer.
The right against self-incrimination.
The right to a speedy trial by jury.
The right not to face the same Criminal Law charges more than once (double jeopardy).
An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to explain your rights to you and make sure the legal system does not violate your rights in any way.

Going to trial in can take weeks or even months and the results are unpredictable. A plea bargain can settle a criminal case quickly and will allow the defense team some control over the outcome of the felony or misdemeanor case. A plea bargain often means that the defendant will receive a lighter sentence for a less-severe charge than might have resulted from taking the case to trial and losing. There are other benefits from accepting a plea bargain including saving money on lawyer fees, getting out of jail if bail cannot be afforded, resolving the case quickly, and having a less-severe offense on a permanent record.

Often times in criminal cases the facts and evidence obtained by law enforcement are inconclusive. An experienced criminal defense attorney can investigate the facts and evidence related the specific felony or misdemeanor charge(s) and build an effective defense.

In the States witnesses are knowledgeable in the courtroom and know exactly what to say and not say during examination. A criminal lawyer also knows the ends-and -outs of the courtroom and will be able to cross-examine government witnesses regarding facts and evidence that work in the defendants favor.

During a criminal trial in there are procedures for admitting evidence and standards regarding lines of questioning. A criminal attorney knows this procedure and will be able to object to improper questions or evidence.

In Maryland, many felony and misdemeanor charges have more than one valid defense. An experienced criminal defense attorney, who has reviewed the facts and evidence of a case can build the best defense based for each specific case.