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Criminal charges

felonies

Criminal offenses under state and federal laws are generally categorized by the seriousness of the crime as felonies (more serious) or misdemeanors (less serious). Felonies are offenses that generally may result in prison sentences of more than one year, and misdemeanors carry sentences of one year or less. The United States Congress sets the penalties for all federal criminal offenses, and thus decides which criminal offenses are felonies and which are misdemeanors. And the state legislature in each state decides which criminal offenses are felonies and which are misdemeanors under state law.

In Massachusetts, criminal offenses are classified into felonies and misdemeanors based on the severity of the crime, similar to the federal system. Felonies are more serious crimes that can result in imprisonment for more than one year, while misdemeanors are less serious offenses with potential jail time of one year or less. The Massachusetts General Laws outline the specific offenses that fall under each category and the associated penalties. The state legislature has the authority to define and categorize crimes as either felonies or misdemeanors. This classification affects various aspects of the criminal justice process, including sentencing, the possibility of expungement, and the rights of the convicted individual. For federal offenses, the United States Congress determines the classification and penalties, which are codified in the United States Code.

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Criminal charges

felonies

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Massachusetts State Code

Massachusetts State Code

Criminal charges

felonies

Articles