Understanding the system
Felony vs. Misdemeanor: Understanding Criminal Charges
When you read a roster, the charges often come with letters and numbers that are hard to decode. This guide explains what the charge levels mean and why they matter.
Last updated 5 min read
The two main charge levels
Criminal charges fall into two broad categories. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses generally punishable by up to a year in a county jail, fines, probation, or community service — examples include petty theft, simple assault, and many first-time minor offenses. Felonies are more serious crimes that can carry more than a year of incarceration, typically in state prison, along with heavier fines and lasting consequences.
A third, lower tier exists in many places: infractions or violations, such as most traffic tickets, which usually carry only a fine and no jail time.
Charge classes and degrees
Within each level, states rank offenses by severity using classes (Class A, B, C) or degrees (first, second, third). As a general rule, a lower letter or degree means a more serious offense — a Class A misdemeanor is more serious than a Class C, and first-degree charges outrank lower degrees.
These labels drive the potential penalties, but the exact definitions vary from state to state, so the same conduct can be classified differently depending on where the arrest happened.
Reading charges on a roster
A roster lists the charges recorded at booking, sometimes with a charge class or a statute code. Treat these as the charges as booked, not a conviction or a final outcome. Booking charges are the arresting officer's view of the situation and can be amended, reduced, combined, or dropped entirely as the case develops.
How charges can change
Between arrest and resolution, a prosecutor reviews the case and decides what to formally file. Charges may be lowered to a lesser offense, raised, or dismissed. A felony can sometimes be reduced to a misdemeanor through plea negotiations, and additional charges can appear if new evidence emerges.
Because of this, the charge shown on the roster today is a snapshot. For the current, official status of a case, check with the court that is handling it rather than relying on the booking record alone.