Sentencing Criminal cases involve charges filed by the government, typically the state, alleging that a law or ordinance. Typically, a person convicted of committing a criminal offense is subject to certain penalties such as paying fine and restitution, serving time in prison or jail, or community service. Criminal law is divided into two major classifications, misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are divided into three categories simple, serious, and aggravated. Felonies are more serious crime, and are classified from the most to the least serious as follows, from A, B, C, and d. for both misdemeanor and felony offenses, the penalty for conviction generally increase in severity with the level of offense. Generally speaking, a person arrested for breaking a criminal law appears before a judge within twenty- four hours. The judge will inform the person of the charges and bail or conditions of release. For some minor offenses, the judge may allow the person to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty at the initial appearance. After the initial appearance, the defendant is entitled to a preliminary hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to continue the case. Generally the defendant will waive that right, and the prosecutor will file trial information, which is a formal statement of the charge. Following the filing of a trial information or indictment, the defendant will appear for an arraignment. At the arraignment, the court may read the formal charges and the defendant must enter a plea, generally guilty or not guilty. If the defendant cannot afford to hire an attorney, the court will appoint an attorney to represent the defendant. If the defendant enters a not guilty plea, there must be a trial within ninety days from the date of the filing of the trial information or indictment. However, the defendant may waive the right. The defendant may also