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I handle all types of felony charges here in the District of Columbia. Some of the more
common felony cases that I see, are cases involving weapons, drugs, assault, robberies and *** abuse.
Felony cases involve more serious charges than misdemeanor cases. In the District of
Columbia if the government wants to proceed with felony charges against a defendant, the
government has to seek an indictment before a grand jury, else they can not actually proceed with the case.
Whereas in a misdemeanor case the government simply files a complaint alleging that this
defendant has committed this crime and need not seek any indictment before the grand jury.
A misdemeanor case, by definition in the District of Columbia has a maximum penalty not exceeding
one year in jail, whereas felony offenses will have maximum penalties sometimes exceeding 30 or more years in prison.
Because felony cases involve more serious charges than misdemeanor cases, you can expect
that the government will allocate more experienced prosecutors and more resources to that case
trying to seek a conviction. And that is why it is important to have an experienced defense
attorney who is very familiar, experienced with felony cases, and has the resources to
combat the government's attempts to convict the defendant.
Well a felony conviction has both immediate and long term effects. As an immediate effect
a defendant convicted of a felony looses the right to vote, looses the right to serve on
a jury, looses the right to seek or hold public office, and cannot purchase any firearms.
Anyone facing felony charges needs to act quickly to secure competent and qualified
council. Felony charges bring serious consequences and a defendant can expect that the government
will bring all of their resources to bare to obtain a conviction. And so it is important
that if you are facing felony charges you contact a qualified experienced attorney immediately.