[Thermodyne]

http://www.maryland-defense-lawyer.c...urtProcess.htm

What is the Difference Between a Felony And a Misdemeanor?

In Maryland there is no clear line for determining whether a crime is a felony or a misdemeanor. Unless the statute says otherwise, the classification of a crime as a felony or a misdemeanor comes down to what is was considered at common law. Unless the offense was considered a felony at common law, or is specified as such in the statute, the crime will be considered a misdemeanor.

However, there is a rule-of-thumb used to distinguish a misdemeanor from a felony: Unless a statute says otherwise, crimes that have a penalty of more than 1 year in jail are considered felonies, while crimes that have a penalty of 1 year or less in jail are considered misdemeanors.

http://www.maryland-defense-lawyer.c...Sentencing.htm

Felony v. Misdemeanor

Strictly speaking, Maryland statues don't use the terms misdemeanor and felony. However, in general use, felonies are always regarded as more serious charges than misdemeanors.

In the broadest sense, so-called felony charges in Maryland include violent and very serious offenses, including murder, first degree assault and sexual assault, weapons charges, and selling drugs.

Misdemeanor charges can still have significant and life changing penalties. These offenses include 1st offense DUI, shoplifting, Disorderly Conduct and Marijuana possession.

If you are facing a felony offense, you can expect to be facing minimal penalties of 1 year or more in prison. Many serious or violent felonies have mandatory minimum sentences that are significantly higher than that.

Other results of a felony conviction can be: loss of professional licensing or certification, you may no longer be able to own a firearm or gun, you may lose the right to vote, you may become ineligible for many types of employment, and more.

Misdemeanor offenses are generally defined as crimes in which the maximum sentence is 1 year in jail. For a misdemeanor conviction, you can still face significant additional penalties, that can include loss of driver's license, inability to travel internationally, problems with immigration status, and any number of court imposed probation requirements.

For a true understanding of what penalties you are facing for any Maryland criminal charge, you need to speak to an experienced defense attorney. A lawyer will need to ask you a number of questions about the facts of your case, any prior offenses, and other circumstances that could affect what is likely to happen to you in court.

Sort of like the justice system having it's cake and eating it too.

http://www.mcsm.org
/mdlaw.html

I will be there when and if this little fiefdom ever does get forced to stand before a federal judge.