What Are the Types of Criminal Cases?

A criminal case involves a defendant charged with allegedly committing a crime. There are several different types of criminal cases including misdemeanors and felonies.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors and petty crimes are minor offenses that may be punishable by a fine and less than a year of jail time in a local or county jail. Examples of misdemeanors include disorderly conduct, public intoxication and petty theft.

Felonies

Felonies are crimes of a serious nature punishable by fines and more than one year of prison time served in a state or federal jail. Rape, drug trafficking and kidnapping are all felonies.

Capital Crimes

Capital crimes are the most severe type of crimes and can be punishable by life in prison or even death. First-degree murder is the most common capital crime.

Juvenile Crimes

Types of criminal cases involving minor defendants are juvenile crimes. If convicted, judges sometimes grant youthful offenders leniency and consider factors such as the juvenile's age, education status and chance of rehabilitation.

Prevention/Solution

In most criminal trials, the state appoints a public defender to represent the alleged criminal. The defendant should try to retain an experienced criminal lawyer of his own choosing to litigate the case.

Potential

Technology is helping to improve how prosecutors and defense lawyers try their cases. DNA databases have expanded to cover national areas and expert witnesses are able to provide digital reports and video conferencing.

References

• FindLaw
• National Criminal Justice Reference Services