Felony is considered to be the most serious crime and have the stiffest penalties in almost all 50 states of America. Historically, a Felony conviction resulted in forfeiture of property, dismemberment or even death.

The crimes that are now commonly considered as felonies include; aggravated assault and/or battery, arson, burglary, embezzlement, grand theft, treason, espionage, racketeering, robbery, murder, rape, kidnapping and fraud. Although most people who hear about Felony crime tend to think of rape, murder, and kidnapping, as mentioned above, but felony behaviors also include possession of obscene material, vandalism and consensual sodomy.


State Disenfranchisement Laws:

Forty-six States and District of Columbia have prohibited the convicts from voting while they are serving Felony sentence, whereas the remaining four states of Maine, Massachusetts, Vermouths and Utah have permitted the inmates to vote. Ten of the states have disenfranchised ex-offenders, who have completed their criminal sentence. In addition, Texas disenfranchises ex-offenders for two years after they have completed their sentences.


Penalties:

Felony is considered as one of the highest classes of offenses in United States and can be punished by imprisonment or even death in the case of the most serious felonies, such as murder, treason, and espionage.

A State or Federal Felony conviction today can lead to jail time, probation, fines, restitution, community service, mandatory drug or other rehabilitative treatment, and forfeiture of various legal rights (including the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold government positions, bear arms, and serve in the Armed Forces). In the United States felons often face additional consequences, such as disenfranchisement in many states, prohibition of obtaining licenses, exclusion from certain lines of work and ineligibility to run for or be elected to public office.

Some states consider a Felony conviction to be a ground for an uncontested divorce. Finally if a felon is not a U.S. citizen that person may be subject to deportation after sentencing is complete. While controversial, these disabilities are explicitly sanctioned by the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, a Reconstruction-era amendment that deals with permissible state regulation of voting rights.


Need for an Attorney:

If you or a loved one has been charged with a Felony Crime, no matter how petty the case may seem initially, it is very important that you contact an attorney as soon possible. An experienced Criminal Law Attorney, who is familiar with Felony Case Laws in your state, can help you to understand the specific charges and their potential consequences.

For example, if you are being charged with embezzlement, fraud, money laundering or counterfeiting, you should hire an attorney that specializes in white collar criminal defense. On the other hand, if you are charged with a murder or manslaughter charge, your Criminal Law Attorney should specialize in violent crime defense.

Facing a Felony court case can be devastating, but a good attorney can help you to make critical decisions to obtain the most favorable outcome.

Lawyer’s Area offers the services of experienced Criminal Law Attorneys. They have a very good track record of dealing with Criminal Law Cases. They will explore possibilities and legal grounds on which a dismissal can be achieved. .