Excellent Article: Why Misdemeanors Aren't So Minor

Alexandra Natapoff wrote an excellent piece called Why Misdemeanors Aren't So Minor.  She explains that misdemeanors account for the majority of criminal charges; many defendants don't hire lawyers for these kinds of charges; and that misdemanor convictions can have some serious consequences, including lost job opportunities, deportation, ineligibilty for food stamps, and eligibility for professional licenses.