What does the different degrees of offense mean?

Degrees establish the severity of the offense. 1st degree is reserved for the most serious offenses. Severity decreases from there.

A 3rd degree offense is usually the least severe offense in most jurisdictions. Some places have a 4th degree, which is even lower in severity than a 3rd degree offense. An example of a third degree sexual offense in Pennsylvania would be statutory rape (aka someone having consenting sex with a minor).

Degrees Of Criminal Offenses

The charges for sexual offenses range from 1st degree to 4th degree, 1st being the worst. However, a third degree charge in some states can include offenses that involve, "penetration," and some second degree charges may not, (confusing, I know.) It really depends on the specific details of each case and the state in which the crime took place.

Both felonies and misdemeanors are classified by degrees to indicate degree of seriousness, with a first degree crime being considered more serious than a second degree crime. The penalties decrease in severity as the number goes up--the penalty for a first degree felony will be harsher than that for a second degree felony, etc.

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There are differences in each state, but basically the degrees are based on the degree of the offense and the degree of criminal intent and any extenuating circumstances.

We were just studying this in school, then I heard that Florida had 4th degree. Our professor is out of Oklahoma and has lost a lot of cases, lol.

Every case he's told us about his clients went to jail and he's not a public defender either..(shaking my head).

So 4th degree is lesser of the 4 evils. Probably a removal misdemeanor sooner or later. Probation.