If you are charged with a criminal offense for a minor crime such as theft or a violent crime such as rape, domestic assault or homicide, you will immediately plunge into the complex world of the criminal justice system. Until you actually face criminal charges yourself or with a closed loved one, it is hard to grasp how unfamiliar and imposing this system is to ordinary citizens.
Simply put, the stakes are high, whether you have a simple offense – a misdemeanor – or more severe charges – a felony – levied against you. Every conviction carries significant consequences.
