Felonies & Misdemeanors in New York & New Jersey

Let Our Experienced Criminal Defense Team Protect Your Rights & Future

In New York and New Jersey, crimes are classified as either misdemeanors or felonies. Although a misdemeanor is not as serious as a felony, a conviction for either type of offense can lead to imprisonment, fines, and other serious penalties, including a permanent criminal record. In order to avoid getting convicted, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights and freedom throughout the criminal justice process and help you obtain the most favorable outcome in your case.

The Law Offices of Iannuzzi and Iannuzzi represent clients charged with felony/misdemeanor crimes of all kinds. Our firm is experienced with this type of legal defense, and we have handled many cases in each area. If you, or someone you know is up against this type of charge, let us help you find your way through the legal process.

Contact us today to schedule a free case review to learn how we can help you.

New York Misdemeanor & Felony Penalties

A misdemeanor is any crime for which the penalty is one year or less, such as simple assault, petit larceny, trespassing, and the like. As we mentioned before, while misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, a conviction of a misdemeanor will still result in a criminal record that may follow you the rest of your life.

The following is a breakdown of misdemeanors in New York:

• Class A misdemeanors – Punishable by a maximum jail sentence of one year and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Class B misdemeanors – Punishable by a maximum jail sentence of three months and a fine of up to $500.
• Unclassified misdemeanors – Punishable by penalties according to the specific law or ordinance that define an unclassified crime.

A felony is any crime which carries a potential penalty of more than one year in prison, such as homicide, robbery, assault, drug trafficking, burglary, and larceny. Felonies are ordinarily divided into classes: A Felonies, B Felonies, etc., with A being the highest or more serious crime carrying the higher, more severe penalty.

The following is a breakdown of felonies in New York:

• Class A-I felonies – Punishable by a minimum prison sentence between 15 and 25 years and up to life imprisonment.
• Class A-II felonies – Punishable by a minimum prison sentence between three and eight years to lifetime imprisonment.
• Class B felonies – Punishable by a minimum prison term between one year and three years to imprisonment for up to 25 years.
• Class C felonies – Punishable by a minimum prison term between one year and one-third of the maximum to imprisonment for up to 15 years.
• Class D felonies – Punishable by a minimum prison sentence between one year and one-third of the maximum to imprisonment for up to seven years.
• Class E felonies – Punishable by a minimum prison sentence between one year and one-third of the maximum to imprisonment for up to four years.

Can a Felony Be Reduced to a Misdemeanor in New York?

In New York, felony offenses can be reduced to misdemeanor offenses. If the felony charge is classified as a "wobbler" offense, the charges may be reduced. A "wobbler" offense is a crime that can be charged as both a misdemeanor and felony offense. Depending on the nature of your crime and the circumstances of your arrest, the judge ultimately decides the severity of your sentencing.

Ready to Fight for You Immediately

The initial stages of a criminal investigation are the most crucial, because this is where police develop a case against you. It is important that anyone charged with a felony or misdemeanor does not initial or sign anything, and that they don't speak with police until a lawyer is present.

Our firm has handled thousands of felonies and misdemeanors, and we know how to evaluate the strong and weak points of your case. Our attorneys also understand how to discuss them with a prosecutor so that you are not charged beyond the actual circumstances of the case, and so that a court will not impose an overly harsh sentence. With the proper legal advice, a felony might be reduced to a misdemeanor, and a misdemeanor might be resolved without a criminal charge, or perhaps dismissed entirely.

Call (646) 956-2660 for more information about experienced and knowledgeable legal services.