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Does it matter if my AZ criminal charge is a felony or a misdemeanor?

The difference between a felony and a misdemeanor charge may not seem very important, but the distinction makes a huge difference in the severity of your punishment and your life in the future. Being convicted of a felony in Arizona means prison time, which is served in a state prison instead of your local jail. It means reporting the conviction on your job applications and losing some civil rights.

A felony conviction also means a longer sentence. Misdemeanors are generally punished with fines or up to six months in jail. Felonies, however, can result in very long sentences, depending on the severity. A Class 6 felony may mean a year in prison, while a Class 1 felony could be life imprisonment or the death penalty. That's a big difference.

Sometimes the line between a misdemeanor and felony isn't very clear. If you read our recent article about assault versus aggravated assault, then you know that assault can easily become a felony in many circumstances.

Our experienced Phoenix criminal defense lawyers know that each person's case is unique. We will walk you through every step of your case and answer your questions honestly. Give us a call at 1-888-929-5292 today to schedule a free consultation and request our free book, Arizona Criminal Law - What You Must Know.