{"id":169,"date":"2019-12-18T09:00:23","date_gmt":"2019-12-18T17:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.elawrencelaw.com\/blog\/?p=169"},"modified":"2026-05-18T09:31:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T16:31:23","slug":"differences-between-felonies-and-misdemeanors-in-maryland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elawrencelaw.com\/blog\/differences-between-felonies-and-misdemeanors-in-maryland\/","title":{"rendered":"Differences Between Felonies and Misdemeanors in Maryland"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There are two categories for criminal offenses\nin Maryland, felonies and misdemeanors. \nIt\u2019s generally known that misdemeanors are less serious than felonies,\nbut in Maryland, some misdemeanors can carry longer jail sentences than\nfelonies.  Here we\u2019ll explain why the\ndifference matters, why there\u2019s confusion between the two, how to identify\neach, and how you can best protect yourself from these charges.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why the Difference Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to know whether you\u2019re being\nfaced with a misdemeanor or a felony because, overall, felonies hold much\ngreater consequences.  For those who are\nfacing immigration proceedings, felonies are more likely to lead to a denial of\ncitizenship, the revocation of green cards and deportation.  Felonies also prevent citizens from voting,\nreceiving social security benefits, being hired for jobs, receiving public\nhousing, joining the armed forces, holding public office or serving as a police\nofficer or lawyer.  Felonies are tried in\nthe Circuit Court of Maryland, which is more serious than being tried in the\nDistrict Court.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why There\u2019s Confusion Between Felonies and Misdemeanors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A crime that\u2019s classified as a misdemeanor\nunder state law may be classified as a felony under federal law.  Sometimes certain facts about a specific situation\nmay cause a crime that\u2019s normally classified as a misdemeanor to be elevated\ninto a felony case.  It used to be that\nfelonies and misdemeanors were distinguished based on the potential jail time\nthat could be served (less than 1 year for misdemeanors, greater than 1 year\nfor felonies), however, since the law changed, you need to look into a specific\ncrime in order to see if it\u2019s categorized as a misdemeanor or a felony.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of Misdemeanors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most common misdemeanors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n