A felony is considered a serious crime that is punishable with one or more years in prison. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime that is often punishable with a year or less of prison time. The differences between penalties will ultimately depend on the type of criminal charges you may be facing. If you face criminal charges in New Jersey, you should consult with a top-rated criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Anthony J. Vecchio, LLC.