Felonies are frequently defined as the most serious crimes, more serious than misdemeanors. Felony charges typically carry a one-year prison sentence. The length of time depends on the severity of the crime.
Rape, fraud, racketeering, burglary, assault and battery, grand theft, aggravated assault, illegal drug use and possession, embezzlement, kidnapping, murder, robbery, and arson are all felonies in Massachusetts.
Felony Penalties
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Felony punishments vary depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the crime. A prior conviction of any kind on a person’s record can result in a harsher sentence. Large fines, probation, incarceration, loss of voting rights, exclusion from certain lines of work, and loss of certain rights, such as the right to possess a firearm, are all possible punishments. Individuals may be charged and punished in more than one way. For example, a sentence of five years in prison may be followed by a sentence of loss of the right to possess a firearm.
Murder in the First Degree
Murder in the first degree is the most serious felony classification and carries the harshest punishment. Because the Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not have the death penalty, the maximum punishment available is life in prison without the possibility of parole. In the case of first-degree murder, bail is usually denied at the arraignment. Homicide incidents are not limited to first-degree murder. Involuntary manslaughter, self-defense, murder in the second degree, and voluntary manslaughter are also charges for homicide.
Sexual offenses as well as assault and battery charges
Sexually based crimes, which can include indecent exposure, child pornography, indecent assault and battery, lewd conduct, statutory rape, and dissemination of child pornography, are often punishable by incarceration or a fine of thousands of dollars. The severity of the crime determines whether a sex crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
The same is true for assault and battery charges. The gravity of the crime determines whether a misdemeanor or felony charge is filed. Assault and battery can take many forms, including assault and battery on a child, aggravated assault and battery, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, intent to commit a felony, intent to rob or murder, and indecent assault and battery.
Expungement in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, expungement is also known as record sealing. Under certain conditions, individuals may request that their criminal record be sealed. Delinquency files or records can also be sealed upon request. This may imply that the contents of the file are only disclosed to law enforcement authorities and not to the general public.
Criminal history records can also be expunged, which means that the files are physically removed from a past record. Certain felony records, as well as misdemeanor charges, can be expunged. Consulting a criminal defense attorney is often recommended because he or she will be able to determine if a previous conviction can be sealed or expunged and can assist in carrying out the expungement process properly.
