misdemeanor :: legal definition
Misdemeanor - n. a lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or county jail time for up to one year. Misdemeanors are distinguished from felonies, which can be punished by a state prison term. They are tried in the lowest local court such as municipal, police or justice courts. Typical misdemeanors include: petty theft, disturbing the peace, simple assault and battery, drunk driving without injury to others, drunkenness in public, various traffic violations, public nuisances and some crimes which can be charged either as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances and the discretion of the District Attorney. "High crimes and misdemeanors" referred to in the U.S. Constitution are felonies.
See also: felony and Related Law Terms ↓
Related Law Terms
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crime :: n. a violation of a law in which there is injury t ... drugs. See also: felony misdemeanor
criminal law :: n. those statutes dealing with crimes against the ... See also: crime felony misdemeanor
felony :: n. 1) a crime sufficiently serious to be punishabl ... ion. See also: misdemeanor sentence
Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
misprision of a felony :: n. the crime of concealing another's felony (serio ... also: accessory aid and abet felony
pardon :: 1) v. to use the executive power of a Governor or ... also: amnesty commutation reprieve
petty larceny :: n. a term used in many states for theft of a small ... emeanor in charging and sentencing.
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
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