When people think of criminal charges, serious charges -- also known as felonies -- are likely the first thing that comes to mind. However, many people will never face felony charges in their lifetimes, but this does not mean they will not have a run-in with the law. Many people will face misdemeanor charges. These charges are less serious than felonies but still carry significant penalties. These penalties can include large fines, the loss of certain privileges, jail time and more.
Public indecency under Oregon law
Like felony charges, misdemeanor charges are extremely varied. They include everything from shoplifting and low level drug charges to certain DUI charges and writing bad checks. Misdemeanor charges can also include some crimes of a sexual nature.
Oregon woman charged with misdemeanor for video
A person can be charged with misdemeanor charges for a variety of reasons. These charges are not as serious as felony charges but still have the potential to carry serious penalties. One Oregon woman is facing a fine of up to $6,250 and a year in jail following an online video.
When is marijuana delivery a misdemeanor in Oregon?
Oregon is one of many states in the United States that has recently changed its marijuana laws. These laws make the use of marijuana legal within the state. However, there are still many restrictions surrounding the sale of marijuana and of other types of drugs. In many cases, people can face criminal charges for dealing marijuana.
Penalties for speeding in Oregon
Oregon residents use their cars constantly. People often don't think about them as being a potential source of criminal charges. However, traffic violations are common. These violations can, in some cases, result in misdemeanor charges, fines and other penalties.
Christmas tree attack leads to misdemeanor charges and jail
While there is a lot of joy during the holiday season, there can also be a lot of stress. There are family parties, obligations and extra expenses -- all of which can create tension. With the constant stress placed on people during this time, it is easy for someone to overreact to a situation. However, when this happens people can still face criminal charges for their behavior.
Protect your record from misdemeanor charges
Misdemeanor charges may not seem like a big deal at first but when people sit down and really look at the consequences they face they may soon see a different reality. Misdemeanor charges can result in up to a year in jail and large fines. They also run the possibility of interfering with a person's employment, school opportunities, housing options and more.
Penalties for misdemeanors in Oregon
In Oregon, people can face penalties for a variety of behavior. Some of these penalties can come in form of violations -- like traffic citations -- others result in more serious criminal charges. The most serious charges are called felonies, while lesser charges are misdemeanors. Each of these categories can be broken down further depending on the specific charges. The type of charge that a person faces will change the penalty that the person can be sentenced to if convicted.There are four main types of misdemeanors in Oregon. The first is a Class A misdemeanor. This is the most serious misdemeanor charge. The maximum sentence for a Class A misdemeanor is up to one year in jail and a $6,250 fine. The second type of misdemeanor is a Class B misdemeanor. If convicted of a Class B misdemeanor the maximum penalty is six months in jail and a $3,500 fine. There are also a Class C misdemeanor. This is the least serious of the misdemeanor charges. When convicted of a Class C misdemeanor the maximum penalty includes up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,250.
Oregon basketball players charged with shoplifting
The criminal code applies to everyone in Oregon -- regular people and the well-recognized, the rich and the poor. If people are caught breaking the law, Oregon police can make arrests and prosecutors can seek punishments. The law does not recognize distinctions between people, and therefore, all criminal charges need to be taken seriously.
What is shoplifting?
Most Oregon residents stop into a store from time to time to do some shopping. In these cases, it can be easy for someone to grab something from the store and inadvertently forget to pay. People can also intentionally leave with items. In these cases, people can face misdemeanor charges for shoplifting. These charges can result in damage to a person's reputation, jail time, fines, restitution and more. These penalties can interfere with a person's life.
