The misdemeanor/felony line is the most important fork in the criminal-justice system. It changes where you'd serve any sentence, what rights you'd lose, what shows up on background checks, and what kind of life you'd have years later. Here's what actually distinguishes them.
Misdemeanors are crimes punishable by up to a year in jail (or local custody). Felonies are crimes punishable by more than a year in state or federal prison. The actual sentence imposed doesn't matter — the maximum does.
Texas uses Class A/B/C misdemeanors and 1st/2nd/3rd-degree + state jail felonies. Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico use similar tiered systems. Each tier carries its own statutory range.
Felonies typically mean loss of voting rights (during incarceration), federal firearm prohibition, ineligibility for many professional licenses, immigration consequences, and barriers to housing and employment.
DUI, domestic violence, and theft offenses often start as misdemeanors but escalate to felonies on subsequent convictions. "Wobbler" offenses can be charged either way at the prosecutor's discretion.
Misdemeanors are usually easier and faster to seal or expunge than felonies. Some felonies can never be expunged. Always check your state's specific rules — they vary widely.
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