Criminal offenses differ in their severity and impact on others, a fact which is reflected in the penalties for different crimes. To accommodate these differences, state and federal criminal law divides criminal offenses into several categories, each with their own statutory penalties. In Wisconsin, defendants may be charged with a felony, a misdemeanor, or a civil forfeiture.

The Difference Between Felonies, Misdemeanors, & Forfeitures

Forfeitures

Although they’re handled by the criminal law system, civil forfeitures are not considered crimes, and will not result in jail time. Most traffic tickets, including speeding or driving on a suspended license, are usually forfeitures in Wisconsin. Possession of small amounts of marijuana may also result in a forfeiture ticket. In addition to fines and court costs, defendants convicted of these minor offenses may have to forfeit a certain amount of property to the state.

Misdemeanors

In Wisconsin, any offense that is not punishable by incarceration in state prison is considered a misdemeanor. These offenses are further divided into three classes, depending on their severity. Class A misdemeanors, such as theft of property less than $2,500 or assault, are punishable by no more than nine months in jail and fines of up to $10,000, while those convicted of Class C misdemeanors face no more than 30 days in jail.

Felonies

Wisconsin criminal law divides the most serious offenses into nine categories, numbered A-I. Class A felonies include crimes such as premeditated murder and automatically result in a life sentence. Class H and I felonies, the least serious of the crimes in this category, can result in up to six years in state prison and fines of up to $10,000.

If the defendant is a repeat offender, or someone was hurt as a result of the defendant’s actions, crimes can result in felony charges. For instance, a DUI may become a felony charge if the defendant had an excessively high blood alcohol content or children in the vehicle at the time of their arrest.

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, the legal professionals at LaRowe Gerlach Taggart LLP will ensure you receive the vigorous defense everyone deserves. For over 35 years, they have fought for the rights of defendants throughout the Reedsburg, WI area, delivering the most favorable possible outcomes to defendants facing a broad range of criminal charges. Visit their website for more on their criminal law services, follow their Facebook for additional legal tips, or call (608) 524-8231 to arrange a consultation today.