Most Common Misdemeanors You Could Be Accused Of

Published on: 23 June 2018 Last Updated on: 26 July 2023

If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor crime, you need to be proactive in your criminal defense. Your arrest is only the beginning of the criminal justice process. You should contact a criminal defense lawyer who has experience with your type of case. There are several things you need to know when facing misdemeanor charges.

Here are Most Common Misdemeanors You Could Be Accused Of:

1. Consequences of a Misdemeanor Conviction:

Misdemeanor charges range from improper smoking to attempting to escape from jail. Misdemeanor convictions are fairly common in Michigan. The state courts see thousands of cases going through courts annually. There are three types of misdemeanors to look out for:

93-day misdemeanors
1-year misdemeanors
High court misdemeanors

These time periods refer to the maximum jail sentence that you can serve. High court misdemeanors are more serious crimes and are punishable by a prison term of up to two years. While less serious than felony charges, all misdemeanors are considered crimes, and a conviction can result in jail, fines, and a criminal record. Michigan legal help like the Law Office of Rathi & Associates for legal needs when facing Michigan misdemeanor court. If you are facing misdemeanor charges then a misdemeanor lawyer will help you avoid the worst of any incoming punishments.

2. Misdemeanor Property Crimes:

Property crimes are offenses that involve the appropriation or destruction of physical items, but can also involve thefts of services or intellectual properties. Like most jurisdictions, state law determines whether a property crime will be classified as a misdemeanor or felony based on the dollar amount and extenuating circumstances around the crime. Some of the more common misdemeanor property crimes include:

Petty (or petit) theft under $200
Petty theft under $1,000
Vandalism with under $200 in damage
Vandalism with under $1,000 in damage
Public urination
Trespassing

3. Misdemeanor Crimes Against Persons:

Crimes against persons can involve touching or striking a person against their will, creating disturbances and other offenses that affect individuals and groups of individuals. As is the case with property crimes, a crime against a person can be either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances surrounding the crime and the severity of the offense. Some of the more common misdemeanor crimes against persons include the following:

Assault and battery
Domestic assault
Misdemeanor stalking
Disorderly conduct
Resisting arrest
Prostitution

These are the common crimes committed against a person. If you’ve been charged with any of these crimes, you may have to face punishment, including imprisonment, fines, probation, and loss of civil rights. In some cases, you may also be required to pay restitution to the victim.

However, the specific consequences may vary depending on the severity of the charges, the state in which the crime was committed, and the accused’s prior criminal record. For example, if you’ve been accused of domestic violence charges, regardless of your location, it’s important to work with an attorney who can guide you in protecting your rights and interests.

4. Misdemeanors Traffic Crimes and DUI:

Driving Under the Influence is usually a misdemeanor unless there are extenuating circumstances like multiple DUI prior offenses, drug possession, or an accident involving injuries. There are also some non-alcohol-related traffic violations that are classified as misdemeanors. Some of the more common misdemeanor traffic crimes include:

1st or 2nd DUI
Open container
Fleeing and eluding
Leaving the scene of an accident
Reckless driving
Driving on a suspended or revoked license
Drag racing

Indeed, there are several traffic crimes that you could be accused of, depending on your personal circumstances. Like other misdemeanors, a conviction for traffic crimes, including a DUI offense, can carry many consequences.

Moreover, it’s important to note that the consequences of traffic crimes can be serious, so it’s best to drive safely and obey the law. If you’re convicted of a traffic crime, consulting with an attorney to discuss your options would be beneficial. They can evaluate the facts of your case and develop the right defense strategy.

5. Misdemeanor Drug Crimes:

With the exception of marijuana possession, many drug crimes in most states are felonies. Possession of marijuana in any amount is a misdemeanor, but other activities related to the drug, such as selling it to others, can constitute a felony. In certain states, a person can legally carry up to 2.5 ounces of medical marijuana with a valid prescription.

Conclusion

Being accused of a misdemeanor can be frustrating and stressful. Therefore, to mitigate the impact of a potential misdemeanor charge on your life, keep the above information in mind and seek legal counsel if necessary.

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When Restaurants Fight Back: A Diner’s Failed Attempt to Sue a Food Critic for Defamation

Restaurant reviews can make or break your business. A positive review of your restaurant can keep your cash counter busy and tables filled with loud and happy customers. But, a negative review does the complete opposite, leaving hardly any cash to collect and fewer tables to clean. Food critics hold power, and restaurants know it. Some establishments accept criticism and learn from it. Others take a more aggressive approach that can backfire badly. This is what happened to a well-known diner when they decided to fight back against a food critic. The results were not what they expected. The Case of Il Giardino A Vancouver-based Italian restaurant, Il Giardino, was a local favorite. It’s known for its classic pasta dishes and cozy atmosphere. But in 2011, the restaurant’s reputation was challenged. The trouble began when a respected food critic, Colin Thomas, wrote a review that painted the restaurant in a negative light. He described the food as bland, overpriced, and lacking the warmth it once had. The owners of Il Giardino were furious. They felt that Thomas’ words were not just harsh but unfair and damaging. They believed his review crossed the line and hurt their business. So, they decided to take legal action and sue him for defamation. The Lawsuit That Backfired This lawsuit was something new and big news indeed. It’s not every day that you get to see a restaurant sue a critic. Many people were curious about how it would turn out. The owners argued that the review was defamatory and claimed it had caused them to lose customers and money. But fighting a food critic in court is tricky. Critics are protected under free speech laws. The court decided that Thomas’ review was an opinion, not a statement of fact. It didn’t meet the standard for defamation. The case was dismissed. Instead of fixing their problem, Il Giardino made it worse. The lawsuit brought more attention to the bad review. News outlets covered the story, and people talked about it on social media. What might have been forgotten in a week was now in the spotlight for months. The restaurant's online reputation suffered more than it did from the original review. Why Suing Critics Is Risky When a restaurant fights back, it backfires on them. And it’s not really a smart move to sue a food critic. Here’s why – 1. Freedom of Speech Critics have the right to share their opinions. If a review is based on an experience and doesn’t include false claims, it is protected as free speech. Courts are careful about setting a precedent that could limit this freedom. 2. The Streisand Effect Trying to silence a critic can lead to more attention. This is known as the Streisand Effect, named after Barbra Streisand, who tried to hide photos of her home but ended up drawing more attention to them. The same happened to Il Giardino. Their attempt to stop the review only made it more popular. 3. Public Backlash People don’t like it when businesses try to suppress opinions. It can make a restaurant look like it can’t handle criticism or is trying to bully a writer. This can lead to backlash and damage a brand’s reputation. Lessons Learned from the McDonald’s Case Even major brands like McDonald’s have faced backlash for going after critics. In 1990, McDonald’s sued two environmental activists in the UK for distributing pamphlets that accused the company of poor practices. The case became known as the "McLibel" trial and lasted ten years. The outcome? A PR disaster for McDonald’s. The activists couldn’t pay damages, but they won public support. McDonald’s spent millions on legal fees and looked like the villain. The company’s reputation took a hit, showing that even large corporations can face consequences when they overreact to criticism. How to Handle Criticism as a Restaurant? It’s not uncommon these days for a brand to get backlash from critics or customers. But how they handle it makes all the difference. Some of the tactics below work really well to handle criticism: 1. Respond Calmly and Professionally A calm response can go a long way. Thank the critic for their feedback and mention any changes you plan to make. This shows that the restaurant values customer opinions and is willing to improve. 2. Focus on Positive Reviews A bad review hurts, but it doesn’t define a restaurant. Focus on encouraging happy customers to leave positive reviews. A mix of reviews shows that a restaurant is real and popular. According to BrightLocal, 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses. A few negative reviews won’t hurt as much if there are plenty of positive ones. 3. Improve Feedback Sometimes, criticism has truth in it. Look at what the critic pointed out and see if there are ways to improve. This can help turn a negative into a positive. It shows customers that the restaurant listens and evolves. 4. Invest in Online Reputation Management If a bad review is causing ongoing issues, using an online reputation management service can help. These services can guide a restaurant on how to boost its online image and deal with negative press. Recommendations for Restaurant Owners Before your business has to handle something as harsh, it’s better to build some ground rules that keep your business away from such events. Think Before Reacting It’s natural to feel upset after reading a harsh review, but it’s important to think before acting. Responding to anger or taking legal action can lead to bigger problems. Provide Exceptional Customer Service The foundation for a good business reputation starts with a business capability of delivering class-A customer service. So, start by training your team. Warm and attentive staff attract more customers and build a good impression about your restaurant among clients. 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The Takeaway Il Giardino’s attempt to sue a food critic for defamation is a reminder that fighting criticism can often make things worse. Publicly challenging a review can lead to more attention, public backlash, and damage to a business’s reputation. Instead, restaurants should focus on learning from criticism and responding professionally. Encouraging positive feedback and engaging with customers can help maintain a strong image. And when extra help is needed, an online reputation management service can provide the right support. In the end, handling criticism with grace and using it as a tool for improvement will benefit a restaurant far more than a court case ever could. Read Also: Navigating The Maze Of Compensation Claims: Everything You Need To Know When Do You Need A Personal Injury Lawyer: A Guide For Accident Victims Do I Need A Lawyer For Probation Violations?

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Nothing can compare to hopping on your bike and having a long, soul-quenching ride. Florida bikers know that the state has some fantastic roads to ride on. From Gainesville to Ocala to Fort Lauderdale, there are hundreds of miles of beautiful scenery while barreling down the road. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident can kill the good vibes quicker than an alligator’s snap. If your shiny side went belly up and you’ve got a bellyful of road rash, get in touch with the motorcycle accident lawyers at Meldon Law. While you’re recovering from your crash, they’ll fight for you to receive the best settlement possible. How To Pick A Florida Motorcycle Accident Attorney Motorcycle accidents can be particularly tragic. Any accident, no matter how minor, can cause life-altering injuries when rolling around on two wheels. Pavement isn’t kind and can cause painful road rash, snap bones, and worse. Bikers who’ve been hit can be affected deeper than physical injuries, and these emotional scars can run deep. To be fully compensated for their physical and emotional trauma, bikers should hire the best motorcycle accident attorney they can find. But how do you pick the best one? Here are some tips for finding the best personal injury attorney for a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Word Of Mouth Chances are, if you know other folks who ride regularly, one of them has probably been in a crash. And if they have, they’ve also probably filed a personal injury lawsuit. Ask around, and if you find a trusted buddy working with a personal injury attorney, ask them about the experience. Sometimes word of mouth advertising is the best and the most honest. Experience When searching for a personal injury attorney for your bike accident, it's best to seek out one with a background in not just personal injury lawsuits but motorcycle accidents. Bike crash incidents can be very different from other types of vehicular accidents, and working with an attorney with an extensive background in your type of case can help you get the best results. Proven Results Once you’ve located one or a few law firms with a background in motorcycle cases, ask for proof of their successful motorcycle accident lawsuits and how often they obtain satisfactory settlements. You’ll want to work with an attorney whose track record of results is exemplary. Costs And Fees There’s no need to hire an attorney asking for an upfront fee as a retainer. Most personal injury attorneys with motorcycle accident experience will not only offer a free consultation to discuss your case's details, but they also work for a contingency fee. This means they’ll only be paid if you win a settlement, and they’ll take a percentage of what you recover for your damages. Other Information For Florida Motorcycle Crash Victims For bikers involved in a crash seeking justice and compensation, navigating Florida’s personal injury laws can quickly become a confusing blur of legalese. Riders on two wheels aren’t required to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance coverage like those on four wheels are required to do. This makes it much easier for bikers to go straight to a lawsuit before filing a claim with their insurance company. Florida Helmet Laws Florida Statute 316.211 can be a bit confusing when understanding the state’s helmet law. The statute states that all motorcycle riders must wear protective headgear that’s securely fastened. However, this helmet law bites the dust if the motorcycle operator is 21 or older and carries an insurance policy that covers at least $10,000 in medical benefits in the event of a motorcycle crash. It’s on many a biker’s mind if they can still file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver of the accident if they weren’t wearing a helmet. The answer is yes, but it could make receiving a favorable settlement more difficult. Although comparable negligence doesn’t apply to motorcycle laws as to seatbelt laws for automobile drivers, insurance companies and defense lawyers will use the lack of wearing a helmet to deny or reduce the settlement amount. How To Pick The Best Motorcycle Crash Lawyer Explained After a motorcycle accident, your priority is to seek medical attention. Even the most minor of falls from a motorcycle can cause severe, life-changing medical issues. The next priority is to find the best motorcycle accident attorney so you can file a lawsuit and recover your damages. Each motorcycle crash personal injury case is different and requires the attention of a legal team with practical experience with cases similar to yours. Helmet or no helmet, you can still seek to recover damages from the accident. The best way to receive maximum compensation is to work with a law firm that has the know-how to handle the nuances of a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Read Also: What you need to know to win your slip & fall case Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident that wasn’t My Fault?

Tips and Tricks to Hire the Best Lawyer for Your Case

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Most Common Misdemeanors You Could Be Accused Of

Here are Most Common Misdemeanors You Could Be Accused Of: