Felonies

• Felonies, such as murder, sexual assault, embezzlement, burglary, robbery, arson and treason, are the most serious of crimes committed under the umbrella term of criminal charges. Defendants charged with felonies have the most rights under the law and undergo a criminal trial with a 12-person grand jury. According to the website LawInfo, felonies can be punishable by incarceration in state or federal prison, unlike misdemeanors, which require local, city or county jail time. Even after jail time is served, felons can be prohibited from voting, practicing law or medicine, serving in the military or owning a firearm.
  
  

Misdemeanors

• Misdemeanors, which result in a criminal record, are criminal offenses that are less serious than felony charges but can cause prison time, fines, or driver's license sanctions. If the misdemeanor is a sex crime, it can result in having to register as a a sex offender. Like felonies, misdemeanors are tried in criminal court, but defendants are tried in front of a six-person jury and have fewer rights than a felony defendant (such as attorney privileges and primary examination). Misdemeanors can include everything from moving violations (such as driving under the influence) to harassment. Misdemeanors can also result in up to a year of jail time, but they will not affect future employment, military or voting rights.
  
  

Petty Offenses

• Petty offenses, also known as infractions, cannot result in jail time but often involve a heavy fine. Issued by some states for criminal charges that may not be considered "crimes," petty offenses are often given for moving violations or infractions of local ordinances. Defendants are tried in front of judges or magistrates and do not have a jury. According to the website LawInfo, paying the fine is usually the best way to deal with a petty offense.
  
  

Civil Infractions

• Often associated with moving violations such as speeding or failing to yield in traffic, civil infractions require a court visit and are more serious than petty offenses. Court trials for civil infractions require the state to prove the defendant's guilt, which is called a "preponderance of evidence." If this evidence is found, a short trial will be held by a judge or a magistrate without a jury.
  
  

Wobblers

• According to the website LawInfo, wobblers can be felonies or misdemeanors that are swapped at the time of trial from one to the other, either at the time of sentencing or after probation is served.
  
  

Warrants and Arrests

• Depending on the type of criminal charges being brought against the defendant, the website ExpertLaw recommends consulting an attorney if you suspect that there is a warrant for your arrest. Criminal charge warrants, which can be served in person or during a moving violation (if there is an existing warrant), can result in the defendant being brought in for booking to a local police station, or in the case of lesser crimes, the police department can tell the the defendant to contact the department regarding the warrant. For felonies and misdemeanors, a defendant can be placed under arrest at the scene of the crime, or a warrant can be placed for her immediate arrest.