Under Federal law, any crime carrying more than one year in prison is considered a felony. Under Maryland law, a crime is designated a felony or misdemeanor by statute. Felony charges carry higher fines and severe penalties that can range from one year to life in prison, and even the death penalty in Maryland.

Misdemeanors Misdemeanor offenses

Infractions, which can also be called violations, are the least serious crimes and include minor offenses such as jaywalking and motor vehicle offenses that result in a simple traffic ticket. Infractions are generally punishable by a fine or alternative sentencing such as traffic school.

Conviction of a first-degree felony (being the most serious) can result in up to $15,000 and/or 30 years in prison. Second-degree felonies can result in up to $10,000 and/or 15 years in prison. Some felonies may incur capital punishment, life in prison or a death sentence. More serious crimes are charged as felonies.

California law authorizes the court to impose a sentence for a felony conviction. The fact that a sentence is authorized does not necessarily mean that a sentence will be imposed. Most of those felonies are “wobblers” (crimes that could have been charged as misdemeanors at the prosecutor’s discretion).

If you are found guilty of a criminal offense in California, then you will not necessarily go to jail immediately after trial.

For the majority of offence groups, the number of first-time offenders is dwarfed by the number of prolific offenders. The table below shows that the most likely first-time offenders to go to prison are those who commit the most serious crimes, such as sexual offences and robbery.

Try to stay calm and not be overwhelmed. Rather than thinking about the sentence as an insurmountable time period, break the experience down into short, attainable goals. Be observant and aware of surroundings while respecting other inmates’ needs for privacy.

So yes, you can voluntarily commit a crime, get caught, convicted and sent to prison. Sure, go commit a crime and turn yourself in. Pretty much every guilty party “voluntarily” goes to prison when they make the decision to risk incarceration in the first place.

First dui, simple assault, driving on a suspended, probation violation if not serious, FTA, drunk n disorderly, disturbing the peace, etc. Actually anytime you sufficiently piss off a law enforcement officer particularly when drinking or drugging you can be held overnight.