Misdemeanor crimes are one broad type of criminal charge -- the other type is felony crimes. Misdemeanors are generally less serious than felonies but can still result in serious criminal punishments. Misdemeanor crimes include some theft charges, many driving offenses and traffic citations and low-level drug charges. Since punishments are not as severe as felonies, some people may think that misdemeanors do not require a significant criminal defense. However, if people ignore their defense, they can still end up with significant criminal punishments if found guilty of misdemeanors.
Recently, an Oregon baseball player has been charged with two misdemeanor charges. According to police, the 21-year-old pitcher for Oregon State was intoxicated one evening when he allegedly broke into a local market. Employees of the store say that they told the man that the store was closed after he forced his way into the building. Police allege that at this point the baseball player chased an employee through the store before grabbing him by the neck and pushing him against a display case.
The man then left the store. On his way out, the police say he punched the glass doors at the front of the store. Some of the glass supposedly shattered as a result.
Police arrested the man a short time later. He was charged with second-degree criminal mischief, fourth-degree assault and first-degree burglary. The burglary charge is a felony for which he faces 20 years in prison. The other two charges are misdemeanors. For the misdemeanor charges, the man faces fines up to $6,250. He has since been suspended from OSU's baseball team.
People may be surprised to learn that large fines, such as the one the man in this case faces, are common with misdemeanor charges. These financial consequences can make it difficult for people to pay their bills or have a normal social life. Fines are just one of the many punishments possible with misdemeanor charges. People should be aware of these punishments and all the defense options they have available to them after being charged with a misdemeanor.
Source: The Oregonian, "Oregon State baseball: Pitcher suspended after arrest for burglary, misdemeanor charges," Connor Letourneau, Oct. 14, 2013
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