[header] How to choose a criminal defense lawyer [title] Understand your situation. [step] When you are charged with a crime, you are being held responsible for a violation of a public law. In a civil case you can be forced to pay money. 
In a criminal case, you can be imprisoned. [substeps] If you have been charged with a minor crime, called a misdemeanor, you can be confined in the county jail for up to one year.