If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to have the right information so you can make informed decisions.
This list of frequently asked questions will offer the guidance and answers you need.
What does a federal criminal process entail?
The process starts with an investigation by federal law enforcement officials. If the officials have enough information to file criminal charges, prosecutors will draft an indictment and have a grand jury approve it. If you choose to fight the charges, you will have to go to court for a trial.
What distinguishes a misdemeanor from a felony?
A misdemeanor is an offense that could land you in jail for up to one year, while a felony is a more serious crime that could potentially lead to incarceration for more than one year. For example, a misdemeanor charge might be trespassing, and a felony charge might be assault. Different types of charges can affect you in different ways. For example, in Michigan, any felony or domestic violence misdemeanor will bar you from owning a gun.
What criminal records can a court expunge?
In order to have a court expunge previous criminal charges, you cannot have any more than three felony charges on your record. You also will not be able to get more than two assaultive crime convictions expunged. On top of this, if you have committed the same felony offense more than once, a court will not set aside the second offense.
You should never take a criminal charge lightly. There are many ways that a criminal record can affect you, but when you know what you are up against, you may be able to mitigate the consequences.