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.
Driving without a license in Oregon can lead to charges
Driving a car is important to many Portland residents. Cars can help people get to work, home or other engagements. Without the use of a car, it can be significantly harder to get around. However, driving a car is a privilege and under certain circumstances, people can lose the right to drive. A driver's license suspension or revocation can happen under many circumstances. When this happens, people are prohibited from driving any motor vehicle unless they have a hardship license or other permit.
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.
Police increase enforcement on Portland's sidewalks
In the warm summer weather, Portland streets can be packed with all sorts of commuters. People may be on their way to work or a recreational activity and may not even be aware that they are breaking the law. According to reports, there has been an increase in the number of people who are using skateboards and bicycles on Portland's sidewalks. Police say this creates hazards to pedestrians who are also using sidewalks.
Oregon man charged with misdemeanor for firework sales
Even when an individual takes precaution to avoid legal issues, they could still be accused of committing a crime. Although a misdemeanor is considered a lesser crime, it still carries serious penalties. A defendant should not take these allegations lightly and should be sure to address the situation appropriately to clear their name or reduce the penalties or consequences that the charges have on their life.
Head-on crash results in misdemeanor charge for Oregon man
Criminal charges, regardless of the level of severity, can be damaging to a person's personal and professional life, as well as stressful. It is far more likely that a Portland resident will face a misdemeanor-level charge than a felony-level. However, for many people, misdemeanors can cause many of the same problems a felony would cause. One of the most common causes of a misdemeanor charge is a driving-related offense.
Oregon City police issue traffic citations as part of campaign
Cars are a common form of transportation in Oregon. People rely on their cars, trucks and commercial vehicles for a variety of different purposes. However, motor vehicles happen to also be one of the most highly regulated activities in Oregon as well. There are rules about who can drive, how fast people can drive and where people can drive. Activity inside a person's car -- like using a cell phone or a seatbelt -- is also regulated by state law.
