Felony charges in Mississippi generally carry penalties of more than one year in prison and are prosecuted in circuit courts, whereas misdemeanors are less serious offenses handled in lower courts with shorter sentences and smaller fines. The procedural path differs: felonies can involve grand jury indictments, more extensive discovery, and longer pretrial processes. Plea negotiations and sentencing ranges also vary significantly depending on the classification of the offense. Understanding which category applies to your case is essential for planning a defense strategy in Caledonia. Because felonies have higher stakes, they require closer attention to evidentiary and constitutional issues that may determine outcomes. The investment in investigation, motion practice, and trial preparation is typically greater for felonies than for misdemeanors. This difference affects timelines, attorney involvement, and the potential for long-term consequences such as collateral impacts on employment, professional licensing, and civil rights in Lowndes County and beyond.