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.
People must understand marijuana laws in Oregon
Most Oregon residents know that Oregon has more lenient drug possession laws than other areas of the country. In fact, Oregon was the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize marijuana possession. These facts may confuse some people and lead them to believe that it is alright to carry marijuana anywhere in Oregon. However, the truth is that people can still face serious consequences -- including low-level drug charges -- for possessing marijuana.
