Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are considered relatively minor criminal offenses while felonies are considered serious offenses. If you are facing charges in either a municipal or county district court (i.e., Pierce County District Court or Spokane County District Court) then it will be a misdemeanor charge. If you face criminal charges in a Superior Court then it can either be a felony or misdemeanor.
Misdemeanors are further divided into two classes, namely gross misdemeanors which are higher level misdemeanors and simple misdemeanors which are lower level misdemeanors. The maximum time that one convicted of a gross misdemeanor is 364 days in jail and a fine of $5000. The maximum time for a simple misdemeanor is 90 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1000.
Those charged with a criminal offense will notice in the charging document, such as an indictment or information, the name of the specific offense that they are charged with along with the classification of the offense as a felony or misdemeanor. In Washington State, a prosecutor may charge one with a misdemeanor by either information or complaint. A police officer in Washington State can also issue a citation charging one with a misdemeanor offense. Some of the common search terms on Google related to misdemeanors are “what misdemeanor means” and “are misdemeanors on your record”.
Here are some of the criminal offenses which are commonly classified as misdemeanors
in Washington State:
- Domestic Violence or Assault in the 4th Degree
- Disorderly Conduct
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Trespassing
- Malicious Mischief in the Third Degree
- Telephone Harassment
- Hit and Run of an Occupied Vehicle
- Cruelty to Animals
- Fishing and Hunting Violations
- Public Urination
- DUI
- Driving with License Suspended
- Negligent Driving
- No Valid Operator’s License
- Prostitution
- Reckless Driving
- Shoplifting or Theft in the 3rd
- Unlawful Dumping
- Zoning Violations
If you are not sure whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or felony, please contact us and we let you know for free! Help Yourself Law Firm is here to assist those charged with misdemeanor offenses.