When a crime is committed in the state of Washington, that crime is categorized into one of five categories. The first two categories fall under the heading “misdemeanors” and the last three categories fall under the heading of “felony.” These categories allow courts a series of sentencing guidelines from which to base the punishment for each guilty conviction.
Types Of Misdemeanors
You may already know that a misdemeanor is considered a less serious or “minor criminal” offense. But did you know that some misdemeanors are considered more serious than others? The division is between what’s called simple misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors.
Examples of simple misdemeanors in the state of Washington would be:
- Shoplifting
- Disorderly conduct
- Domestic violence
- Driving with a suspended license
- Simple marijuana possession (for now)
Penalties for a simple misdemeanor could be up to 90 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines.
Examples of gross misdemeanors would include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Trespassing
- Rioting
- Reckless Driving
- Hit and Run
Gross misdemeanors can bring up to a year in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.
Felonious Categories
The Revised Code of Washington (RCW) lays out the categories of felonies into three different classes from “most serious” to “less serious”.
- Class A felonies (most serious)
- Class B felonies (serious)
- Class C felonies (less serious)
Felony cases are heard in Superior Court and could include charges such as:
- Armed robbery
- Rape
- Burglary
- Homicide
- Illegal Drug trafficking
- Illegal Drug possession
Class A Felony Conviction:
Punishable by up to $50,000 in fines and/or life imprisonment
Class B Felony Conviction:
Punishable by up to $20,000 in fines and/or ten years in prison
Class C Felony Conviction:
Punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and/or five years in prison
The Benefit Of The Nahajski Firm
When you enlist the advocacy of The Nahajski Firm, you tap into 27+ years experience. While our past wins in the courtroom do not guarantee future success, you can leverage our representation for the benefit of your misdemeanor or felony charges. The Nahajski Firm is poised to fight for your cause, working to keep you out of jail when possible and avoiding a mark on your record. Our team is well-suited to pursue the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced misdemeanor or felony defense attorney.