Misdemeanor charges and crimes involve offenses of a less serious nature, while a
felony charge is a crime typically punishable by a prison term of one year or more.
Misdemeanors are often punishable by short terms in local jails or by fines.
Common misdemeanors are: shoplifting, drug charges, weapons charges, simple
assault, 1 st DUI, disorderly conduct, and loitering.
Up to one year in county jail, fines up to $1,000, probation, and community service are
common penalties for misdemeanor charges.
A misdemeanor charge will leave a permanent mark on your criminal record and can
affect employment and housing opportunities.
Misdemeanors are separated into three categories: high and aggravated, petty, and
regular. DUI is considered a high and aggravated charge.
Felony charges are more serious and include: murder, rape, drug trafficking, aggravated
assaults, and armed robbery.
Felonies are classified into three categories: 1 st degree, 2 nd degree, and 3 rd degree and
Georgia has some of the toughest felony sentencing laws in the country.
Serious violent felonies also known as “Seven Deadly Sins”, make a defendant
automatically receive a 10–25-year mandatory minimum sentence without parole.
The above-mentioned Seven Deadly Sins law imposes a mandatory life sentence for a
murder conviction.
Sentencing alternatives are available for first time offenders if it a non-violent offense or
if the crime involves low-level drug dealing.
Being a convicted felon, one cannot carry firearms, vote, and loses the right to some
housing and employment opportunities.
Some inmates become eligible for parole after serving at least one-third of their prison
sentence.
Hiring a good and experienced attorney and being aware of what you are charged with,
allows an individual to be aware of the court process and how they should plead.
In Georgia, any person can be convicted of a crime unless they are under the age of 13.
Georgia also has the First Offender Act that allows first time offenders to have criminal
records sealed, but some charges like DUI are not eligible to use it in court.
In conclusion, trouble is easy to get in and hard to get out of. Mistakes are a part of life
and sometimes we all make rash decisions.
Learning from our mistakes and taking accountability for our choices will enable each of
us to make better choices when forced to commit crimes.
Help and resources are available to us that feel like a life of crime and jail, or prison are
our only destiny, we must all work to ensure we lead healthy and successful lives.
Having family, friends, and support groups that deter us from bad decisions and a life of
crime is one way to make sure we continue on the road to success.
We all must work together to keep those we love and care about out of the criminal
justice system, especially minorities and juveniles.
Trouble is very easy to get in and hard to get out, making conscious choices will ensure
ourselves and loved ones stay out of prison and jails.