A distinct difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the length of time a criminal defendant will be held in custody after a conviction. Felonies are usually the most serious crimes in criminal law. A felony is any crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison or death. A misdemeanor, on the other hand, has a sentence that may not exceed 11 months and 29 days in length, and the criminal defendant is usually incarcerated in a local jail.

Felonies and misdemeanors have different classes (or levels) associated with the crimes. Felonies can range from a Class A to a Class E; the Class A being the most serious and therefore may have the harshest punishment. Misdemeanors can range from a Class A to a Class C; the Class C being the least serious. Whether you are charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, it is important that you have an accomplished Murfreesboro criminal defense attorney representing you throughout the criminal process.