Explore research-backed legal explainers written in plain English, citing official federal statutes and court decisions.
In the United States, crimes are classified by severity. A felony is a major criminal offense punishable by over one year in prison, whereas a misdemeanor typically caps jail time at one year.
Following an arrest, a suspect is taken into police custody, booked at a station, and brought before a judicial magistrate within 24 to 72 hours for formal arraignment and bail review.
Miranda warnings inform suspects in police custody of their constitutional privilege against self-incrimination and right to legal counsel prior to any interrogation.
Probable cause is the constitutional threshold of objective evidence required for police to conduct lawful searches, make arrests, and secure search warrants.