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What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor offense?

April 26, 2017difference felony misdemeanor offense

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What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor offense?

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Illinois breaks its criminal offenses into two major categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Which category an offense falls into depends on the potential punishment that could be imposed by a court. Generally, if the potential punishment for an offense could be a term of imprisonment of one year or more, the offense is considered a felony offense. In Illinois, your rights may differ depending on whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. For example, if you have been charged with a felony offense, you have a right to have an attorney appointed for you in the event that you cannot afford one. You may not have this right if you are charged with a misdemeanor. Technicalities like this make it important to consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible if you are charged with a crime.