Information on Criminal Charges
If you watch "Law and Order," you know that the first portion of the show focuses on "law," which often includes a primer on police investigation and procedure. Frequently, the show will quickly pass over the criminal charges and turn to the "order" portion of the show, which involves the judicial process. However, before the judicial process is triggered, there must be criminal charges.
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What are Criminal Charges
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Criminal charges are the reasons a person is arrested. The charges generally contain the law which the person has been charged violating, The charges could be based upon petty crimes, misdemeanors or felonies.
Petty Crimes
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Petty crimes are crimes which usually do not carry sentences or prison time. Conviction of most petty crimes do not result in a criminal record. Penalties for petty crimes are frequently fines.
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Misdemeanors
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Misdemeanor criminal charges are more serious and conviction generally will result in a criminal record. Misdemeanor charges include crimes such as assaults which do not result in an injury. Misdemeanors penalties may include jail time, but usually the jail time is not extensive.
Felonies
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Felonies are the most serious of criminal charges. Felonies result in criminal records and include such crimes as murder, manslaughter, embezzlement, rape and kidnapping. The penalties for felony crimes are most severe because of the severity of the crime involved. Convictions of felonies generally involve jail time of a year or more.
Notification of Charges
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When a person is arrested, the person is entitled to know the charges which have been filed against him. When someone is arrested, he will receive notice of the criminal charges. However, there are times where a person has not been arrested but is nevertheless charged with a crime. In such an instance, an arrest warrant is issued.
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