In Oregon crimes are classified into multiple categories. The two main categories are felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors is the less serious classification because the penalties for misdemeanors tend to be less severe than the penalties for felonies. However, just because the penalties are less serious than felonies, does not mean that these charges should not be taken seriously.
Misdemeanors still have the potential to seriously affect a person's life. If a person is convicted of a misdemeanor, the person can be sentenced to jail time. Another common penalty for a misdemeanor conviction is a fine. These fines are meant to punish those found guilty of the crime.
According to ORS section 161.635, the amount of the fine varies depending on the type of misdemeanor a person is convicted of. For a Class C misdemeanor -- the least serious charge -- a person can be fined up to $1,250. The court will determine how much the fine should be in these situations. For Class B misdemeanors the maximum fine is $2,500. Class A misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanor crime. Therefore, the fine for a conviction on a Class A misdemeanor can be up $6,250.
If a person is convicted of a crime that includes financial gain, then the person can be fined a little differently under section 161.635. In these instances, the court can choose to fine a person up to double the amount that the person gained in the crime.
These fines can cause economic hardship to those convicted of misdemeanor crimes. In order to avoid these penalties, people may need to mount an aggressive criminal defense. With the help of an attorney, people may be able to avoid paying these penalties.
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