Felony or misdemeanor

In Maryland, crimes are either considered felonies or misdemeanors. Traditionally, felonies are considered more serious crimes, but in fact, both felonies and misdemeanors can carry very long sentences.

In Maryland, crimes are either considered felonies or misdemeanors. Traditionally, felonies are considered more serious crimes. However, both felonies and misdemeanors can carry very long sentences. 

Under Maryland law, a crime is a felony if either:

  • The crime has historically been a felony under the common law (e.g., murder, manslaughter, robbery, rape, burglary, larceny, arson); OR

  • The statute defining the crime says that the crime is a felony.

If a crime is not a felony, then it is a misdemeanor.

Read the case: Bowser v. State, 136 Md. 342 (Court of Appeals, 1920)

Source
PLL Contributors
Source URL: https://dev.peoples-law.org/felony-or-misdemeanor

List of links present in page
  1. https://dev.peoples-law.org/felony-or-misdemeanor
  2. https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/3490704/bowser-v-state/