When was the last time you committed a crime? The answer might surprise you. There are currently so many laws tucked away in state codes that it would be nearly impossible to count them all. Additionally, many of these laws are strange, outdated, or referencing ... More

What Is a Felony?
A felony is a serious crime with a punishment of anywhere from a year to life in prison and, in some cases, even death by execution. Felony convictions also frequently include penalties after prison, such as the loss of specific rights, probation and restitution. Additionally, ... More

A Guide to Understanding Misdemeanor Charges
Criminal charges are classified into misdemeanor and felony offenses. Misdemeanor crimes are generally less severe than felonies. Nevertheless, each jurisdiction has the authority to decide specifically which offenses are charged as misdemeanors and which are felony offenses. How ... More

What Is Criminal Law?
An overview of criminal law, types of crimes and punishments Most people feel in a general sense that they understand what criminal law is. After all, criminal law generally involves "bad" things that people shouldn't do. However, there is a notable difference between things that ... More

What Is an Infraction?
Crimes are classified as misdemeanors, felonies and infractions. More commonly known as petty crimes, infractions are violations of administrative regulations, ordinances and municipal codes. Some jurisdictions treat traffic violations as infractions. Most states do not consider ... More

Best Defense Strategies Against a Prostitution Charge in Texas
Prostitution is often described as being the world’s oldest profession, but that doesn’t mean Texas law enforcement agencies won’t prosecute it as a crime. In Texas, prostitution is defined as engaging in or offering to engage in sexual contact in exchange for compensation. A ... More