Legal consequences can be very different when it comes to felonies and misdemeanors.

Felonies are serious crimes. Examples include murder and armed robbery. If someone is found guilty of a felony, they might face:

• Imprisonment for more than a year
• High fines that can be very costly
• Long-term effects on their civil rights, like not being able to vote

Misdemeanors are less serious offenses. These can include things like petty theft or simple assault. If someone is found guilty of a misdemeanor, the consequences usually include:

• Jail time of less than a year
• Smaller fines that are easier to pay
• Little to no impact on their civil rights

Overall, knowing the differences between felonies and misdemeanors helps us understand how serious different crimes are and what might happen if someone breaks the law.