If you or a loved one are charged with a crime, it all boils down to either a misdemeanor or a felony charge. The type of charge will then directly impact the penalties, punishments, bail amount, eligibility for bail, and how the court treats your case. Obviously, a felony charge is far more serious.
The Difference Between Felonies and Misdemeanors
The primary difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the size of the crime. A felony is typically the larger, more significant crime. These include:
- Murder
- Rape
- Aggravated Assault
- Possessions of a Controlled Substance
- Kidnapping
- Arson
These types of crimes, and many like them, are considered “elevated” crimes. As such, they tend to bring about more substantial consequences and fines.
On the other hand, you have misdemeanor crimes, which are lesser to an extent. Some of the most common misdemeanors include:
- Petty Theft
- Vandalism
- Trespassing
The punishment for the crime depends on whether it is considered a felony or a misdemeanor, the amount (if applicable), and any past convictions the defendant may hold. For a misdemeanor, the penalties typically include fines, probation, minor jail time, and often community service. For a felony, the result is often far higher fines, longer jail sentences, and various other punishments included.
Bail for Felonies and Misdemeanors
Due to the difference in severity, the majority of misdemeanor crimes often hold a far lesser amount regarding bail when compared to a felony case. Furthermore, some who are charged with a felony crime may never be granted bail whatsoever. In such cases, the judge withholds such a decision for a far more severe crime, such as murder or rape.
Still, the bail amount for a misdemeanor can be in the thousands of dollars, if not more, alone. The bail for a felony, however, can reach up to a million dollars. You only need to pay ten percent of the bail, though. Even still, ten percent of one million is a significant chunk of change.
Factors Affecting Bail Amounts
It’s not just the type of crime that influences bail amount, though. There are other factors at play, such as:
- Age of the defendant
- Any other current charges
- Criminal history
- Prior record of skipping bail
The judge, who has such records available at a moment’s notice, will look through all of this information and more before determining a bail amount.
If you require a bail bond, find a local bail bond company near you. A neighborhood bail agent will be far more likely to work on your case and push to gain results.