HOW ARE CRIMES CLASSIFIED OR RANKED?
Crimes are divided into two main categories: Either a “felony” or ” misdemeanor.” The distinction between them is based on the crime’s seriousness and on the length of punishment. Felonies are crimes generally punishable by more than one year’s imprisonment. You have the right to a jury trial when charged with a felony crime. Misdemeanors are crimes usually punishable by less than one year’s imprisonment. You have the right to a jury trial when charged with a misdemeanor if the crime is considered serious enough to warrant a jury trial (typically when jail is possible). The State of Florida classifies crimes by felony / misdemeanor and then degree. There are five degrees of felony crimes: capital, life, first, second, and, third degree. Capital felonies, punishable by death, include the most serious crimes like murder and sexual battery on a child less than twelve years of age. Life felonies are punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment and include burglary with a battery, certain t
