You are not expected to know the meaning and verse of charges and crimes. The interpretation of this is the job of an attorney, and a good Floridalawyer, such as those at Musca Law, will define these terms as soon as possible for you.
What is a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is an offense which is punishable by up to 1 year in a county correctional facility. Some examples of types of misdemeanors are: petty theft, prostitution, public intoxication, simple assault, trespassing and reckless driving. Misdemeanors are considered less serious than a felony.
What is a felony?
A felony is an offense which is punishable by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary (state correctional facility) for a minimum of 1 year. An example of types of crimes that are felonies are: murder, rape, aggravated assault, vandalism, burglary and arson.
Wobblers
Some crimes may be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending upon the circumstances of the case. These are referred to as "wobblers." Then, another question that arises is: what's the difference between a federal crime and a civil crime? In the U.S., a federal crime is an act that is made illegal by federal legislation and is prosecuted under U.S. federal criminal law, not state law. Federal crimes such as tax evasion and possession of weapons banned by the National Firearms act are included in such crimes, as are mail fraud and counterfeiting.
Civil Cases
A civil case is when a plaintiff demands a legal or equitable remedy. Civil cases are usually involving individuals or businesses.