The consequences of crimes for both the victim and the criminal are rarely ever temporary or completely resolved. If the victim survives a crime, they could be faced with lasting personal and/or fiscal issues. A criminal's crimes likewise affect their life and liberties long after they've completed their sentence. Nebraska's criminal laws offer some rights and protections that can help prepare you to face these loting consequences.
Use LawInfo's criminal law articles to help educate yourself about Nebraska's laws and how they affect your case. You can learn about the difference betwng-laseen misdemeanors and felonies, intoxicated driving charges and many other state-specific criminal law topics. You can also use LawInfo to connect with a Nebraska criminal law attorney in Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island or elsewhere in the state.
There's often confusion about how Nebraska's criminal justice system works, specifically about the role of the police and attorneys. The police participate mostly during the first few stages of a criminal case. They investigate a crime, arrest suspects, gather evidence and file reports to the court.
Beyond these initial steps, the police may serve as witnesses during trial but their authority over the case ends when the prosecution decides to file charges with the court. The prosecution can be one of several types of attorneys depending on the nature of the crimes and jurisdiction:
Nebraska's government provides a useful Victim's Guide that breaks down the state's criminal justice system.
Every state has its own system of classifying crimes which also identifies the statutory punishments for each classification. Nebraska has two main criminal offense classifications: felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are the most serious crimes and incur the severest penalties. Misdemeanors are less serious and incur less severe penalties.
In general, felonies are penalized with a year or more of imprisonment while misdemeanors receive up to a year of imprisonment. Both types of offenses are further sub-divided into multiple classes, each of which carries maximum and minimum penalties.
The classes and penalties for felonies include:
The classes and penalties for misdemeanors include:
This article is intended to be helpful and informative. But even common legal matters can become complex and stressful. A qualified criminal defense lawyer can address your particular legal needs, explain the law, and represent you in court. Take the first step now and contact a local criminal defense attorney to discuss your specific legal situation.
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