Community Service punishment to Misdemeanor
Author: Kevin Jones
Misdemeanor punishments are divided into classes that depend on the state. A punishment for petty theft could have a more lenient punishment than aggravated assault. However, the details of a case (e.g., prior convictions, probation) will have an effect on the punishment. Crimes considered misdemeanors include: DUI Shoplifting Vandalism Prostitution Reckless driving Drug possession A person sentenced to serve time as the result of a misdemeanor typically will go to a jail as opposed to a prison, as in felony cases. In some cases, a person will have the opportunity to serve time only on the weekends until the jail-time requirements are met. A
misdemeanor is a lesser criminal act, carrying a less severe punishment than felonies but are more serious than regulatory offenses. Misdemeanors in the United States general have a maximum punishment of 12 months in jail, typically the local jail. Some common misdemeanors include, petty theft, prostitution, public intoxication, simple assault, disorderly conduct, trespassing and vandalism. In addition to full jail time, misdemeanor punishments include probation, community service or part-time imprisonment served on the weekends. There are several different classes o misdemeanors that carry their own severity of punishment. The lowest level is a Class B
Misdemeanor and the highest level is a Class A Misdemeanor that carries a more severe punishment. Classes of Misdemeanor Offenses Class B Misdemeanor Common Class B Misdemeanor charges include one DWI charge, a criminal trespassing charge, theft by check from $50 to $500, and evading arrest or detention. The punishment of a Class B Misdemeanor typically consists of confinement for a term of up to one year in the county jail and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000. Class A Misdemeanor The punishment of a Class A Misdemeanor typically consists of confinement to the county jail for a term of up to one year and/or a fine not to exceed $4,000. Some common Class A Misdemeanor crimes include a second DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) charge, an assault charge, the burglary of a vehicle, and the unlawful carrying of a weapon. While it's fairly obvious that imposing the death penalty on someone convicted of a first time burglary is almost certainly cruel and unusual punishment, the courts have allowed persons with multiple convictions for non-violent crimes such as writing bad checks to be sentenced to life in prison without parole as habitual offenders. In other cases, persons sentenced to lengthy prison terms for the possession of small amounts of marijuana have also been upheld when challenged on Eighth Amendment grounds. On the other hand, physical abuse, such as beatings and torture, have consistently been held to constitute the kind of cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment. Another alternative form of punishment is community service. Community service is most often used in misdemeanor cases, or occasionally when the criminal has been convicted of a non-violent felony, such as embezzlement. Community service can take a variety of forms, including everything from cleaning up roadside parks to presenting speeches and seminars on the evils of crime. Community service is sometimes granted when the convict has a high level of visibility to the public. For example, celebrities such as rock musicians and movie actors may be given sentences of community service because the court believes that more good can be done for society through the celebrity's service than through his imprisonment.About the Author:
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) My Favorite Tacori Engagement Rings Testosterone Supplementation Options for Men