View source for Misdemeanor

{{short description|"Lesser" criminal act in some common law legal systems}}
{{other uses|Misdemeanor (disambiguation)}}
{{Globalize|1=article|date=October 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Criminal law}}

A '''misdemeanor''' ([[American English]],<ref>{{cite web|title=misdemeanour|url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/misdemeanour?a=british|website=Cambridge Dictionary|publisher=Cambridge University Press|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> spelled '''misdemeanour''' elsewhere) is any "lesser" [[crime|criminal]] act in some [[common law]] legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally [[punishment|punished]] less severely than more serious [[felony|felonies]], but theoretically more so than administrative [[infraction]]s (also known as minor, petty, or [[summary offence]]s) and [[regulatory offence]]s. Typically, misdemeanors are punished with [[prison]] time of no longer than one year, monetary fines, or [[community service]].

== Distinction between felonies and misdemeanors ==
[[Image:Graffiti in Bucharest, July 2007.jpg|thumb|In the US, [[graffiti]] is a common form of misdemeanor [[vandalism]], although in many states it is now a felony.|none]]

A misdemeanor is considered a crime of lesser seriousness, and a [[felony]] one of greater seriousness.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Classification of Crimes|url=https://open.lib.umn.edu/criminallaw/chapter/1-4-classification-of-crimes/|website=M Libraries Publishing|date=17 December 2015 |publisher=University of Minnesota|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> The maximum punishment for a misdemeanor is less than that for a felony under the principle that the punishment should fit the crime.<ref>''Doing Justice: The Choice of Punishments'', A VONHIRSCH, 1976, p.220</ref><ref>''Criminology'', Larry J. Siegel</ref><ref>''An Economic Analysis of the Criminal Law as Preference-Shaping Policy'', Duke Law Journal, Feb 1990, Vol. 1, Kenneth Dau-Schmidt, {{JSTOR|1372651}}</ref> One standard for measurement is the degree to which a crime affects others or society. Measurements of the degree of seriousness of a crime have been developed.<ref name="OSS">{{Cite journal |last1=Lynch |first1=James P. |last2=Danner |first2=Mona J. E. |date=September 1993 |title=Offense seriousness scaling: An alternative to scenario methods |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF01064464 |journal=Journal of Quantitative Criminology |language=en |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=309–322 |doi=10.1007/BF01064464 |s2cid=144528020 |issn=0748-4518|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

In the United States, the federal government generally considers a crime punishable with incarceration for not more than one year, or lesser penalty, to be a misdemeanor. All other crimes are considered felonies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:3559%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section3559)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true |title=18 USC 3559: Sentencing classification of offenses |date=1 November 1987 |website=uscode.house.gov |access-date=6 April 2017 }}</ref> Many US states also employ the same or a similar distinction.

The distinction between felonies and misdemeanors has been abolished by several [[common law]] jurisdictions, notably the UK<ref>{{cite web |title=Criminal Law Act 1967 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1967/58/contents |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=3 December 2018}}, s.1, in force 1 Jan 1968</ref> and Australia.<ref>{{Citation |title=Crimes Act 1958 - SECT 322B Abolition of distinctions between felony and misdemeanour |work=Victorian Current Acts |url=http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/vic/consol_act/ca195882/s322b.html |publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute |access-date=2022-05-17}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Crimes Act 1900 - SECT 580E Abolition of distinction between felony and misdemeanour |work=New South Wales Consolidated Acts |publisher=Australasian Legal Information Institute |url=http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/nsw/consol_act/ca190082/s580e.html |access-date=2022-05-17}}</ref> These jurisdictions have generally adopted some other classification (in the UK the substance of the original distinction remains, only slightly altered): in the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth nations]] of Australia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/home/charges+laid/types+of+offences/|title=Types of offences |website=Victims of Crime |language=en-au|access-date=2017-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170202062233/http://www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/home/charges+laid/types+of+offences/ |archive-date= Feb 2, 2017 }}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are-accused-of-a-crime/understanding-charges/types-of-offences|title=Types of Offences |website=Province of British Columbia |language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> New Zealand,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justice.govt.nz/about/lawyers-and-service-providers/criminal-procedure-act/offence-categories-and-types-of-trials/|title=Offence categories & types of trials |website=New Zealand Ministry of Justice |language=en-NZ|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> and the United Kingdom,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/summary_offences_and_the_crown_court/|title=Summary Offences and the Crown Court: Legal Guidance |website=The Crown Prosecution Service |access-date=2017-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130025739/http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/summary_offences_and_the_crown_court/ |archive-date= Jan 30, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/courts/magistrates-courts|title=Criminal courts |website=GOV.UK |language=en|access-date=2017-01-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728220631/https://www.gov.uk/courts/magistrates-courts |archive-date= Jul 28, 2017 }}</ref> the crimes are divided into [[summary offence]]s and [[indictable offence]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.findlaw.com.au/faqs/1188/what-is-the-difference-between-a-summary-and-indic.aspx|title=What is the difference between a summary and indictable offence?|website=FindLaw|access-date=2017-01-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202034932/http://www.findlaw.com.au/faqs/1188/what-is-the-difference-between-a-summary-and-indic.aspx |archive-date= Feb 2, 2017 }}</ref> The [[Republic of Ireland]], a former member of the Commonwealth, also uses these divisions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dppireland.ie/filestore/documents/Chapter_2_The_Prosecution_System_in_Ireland.htm|title=Guidelines for Prosecutors - Director of Public Prosecutions|last=Prosecutions|first=Office of the Director of Public|website=www.dppireland.ie|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref>

In some jurisdictions, those who are [[convict]]ed of a misdemeanor are known as '''misdemeanants''' (as contrasted with those convicted of a [[felony]] who are known as ''felons''). Depending on the jurisdiction, examples of misdemeanors may include: [[theft|petty theft]], [[prostitution]], [[public intoxication]], [[assault|simple assault]], [[disorderly conduct]], [[trespass]], [[shoplifting]], [[vandalism]], [[reckless driving]], [[indecent exposure]], [[forcible touching]], and possession of [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] for personal use.

== When a misdemeanor becomes a felony ==
In the United States, even if a criminal charge for the defendant's conduct is normally a misdemeanor, sometimes a repeat offender will be charged with a felony offense. For example, the first time a person commits certain crimes, such as spousal assault, it is normally a misdemeanor, but the second time it may become a felony.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Bergman, Paul, and Sara J. Berman-Barrett. The Criminal Law Handbook: Know Your Rights, Survive the System. Nolo|year= 2011}}</ref> Other misdemeanors may be upgraded to felonies based on context. For example, in some jurisdictions the crime of indecent exposure might normally be classified as a misdemeanor, but be charged as a felony when committed in front of a [[Minor (law)|minor]].<ref>See, e.g., {{cite web |title=Ohio Revised Code, Sec. 2907.09, Public indecency |url=http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/2907.09 |website=LawWriter Ohio |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>

== Penalties ==

Misdemeanors usually do not result in the restriction of civil rights, but may result in loss of privileges, such as professional licenses, public offices, or public employment. Such effects are known as the [[collateral consequences of criminal charges]].  This is more common when the misdemeanor is related to the privilege in question (such as the loss of a [[Taxicab|taxi]] driver's license after a conviction for [[reckless driving]]), or when the misdemeanor is deemed to involve [[moral turpitude]]—and in general is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

===United States===

In the United States, misdemeanors are typically crimes with a maximum punishment of 12 months of [[incarceration]], typically in a local [[County jail|jail]]. This contrasts with felons, who are typically incarcerated in a [[prison]]. Jurisdictions such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania are notable exceptions: the maximum punishment of some misdemeanors in Massachusetts is up to 2.5 years' imprisonment<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mass.gov/courts/docs/admin/sentcomm/mastercrimelist.pdf|title=Felony and Master Crime List|date=December 2015|website=www.mass.gov/courts|publisher=Massachusetts Sentencing Commission|access-date=27 January 2017}}</ref> and up to five years' imprisonment in Pennsylvania for first-degree misdemeanors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://casetext.com/statute/pennsylvania-statutes/consolidated-statutes/title-18-pacs-crimes-and-offenses/part-i-preliminary-provisions/chapter-1-general-provisions/section-106-classes-of-offenses|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419183414/https://casetext.com/statute/pennsylvania-statutes/consolidated-statutes/title-18-pacs-crimes-and-offenses/part-i-preliminary-provisions/chapter-1-general-provisions/section-106-classes-of-offenses|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 April 2021|title=18 Pa.C.S. §106|access-date=2 March 2025}}</ref> People who are convicted of misdemeanors are often punished with [[probation]], [[community service]], short jail term, or part-time incarceration such as a sentence that may be served on the weekends.

The [[United States Constitution]] provides that the President may be [[impeached]] and subsequently removed from office if found guilty by Congress for "high crimes and misdemeanors". As used in the Constitution, the term ''misdemeanor'' refers broadly to criminal acts as opposed to employing the felony-misdemeanor distinction used in modern criminal codes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Schick v. United States, 195 U.S. 65, 24 S.Ct. 826, 49 L.Ed. 99 (1904)|url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=10977065371937092299|website=Google Scholar|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref> The definition of what constitutes "high crimes and misdemeanors" for purposes of impeachment is left to the judgment of Congress.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Bowman|first1=Frank O.|last2=Sepinuck|first2=Stephen L.|title=High Crimes and Misdemeanors: Defining the Constitutional Limits on Presidential Impeachment|journal=Southern California Law Review|date=1999|volume=72|issue=6|page=1517|url=http://scholarship.law.missouri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=facpubs|access-date=29 June 2017}}</ref>

===Singapore===
In [[Singapore]], defendants found guilty of misdemeanors are generally given a [[jail sentence]] for a number of months, but with certain specific crimes, suspects are sentenced to a harsher sentence. An example is the penalty imposed for [[vandalism]], which is a [[fine (penalty)|fine]] not exceeding S$2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three years, and also [[corporal punishment]] of not less than three strokes and not more than eight strokes with the use of a [[Caning in Singapore|cane]] - an example was the [[Caning of Michael Fay]].

== Misdemeanor classes ==

Depending on the jurisdiction, several classes of misdemeanors may exist. The forms of punishment can vary widely between those classes. For example, the federal and some [[U.S. state|state]] governments in the United States divide misdemeanors into several classes, with certain classes punishable by jail time and others carrying only a fine.<ref>See, e.g., {{usc|18|3559}}</ref>  In New York law, a Class A Misdemeanor, which among other things includes the [[sex crime]] of forcible touching, carries a maximum sentence of one year of imprisonment, while a Class B Misdemeanor "shall not exceed three months".<ref>N.Y. Penal L. § 70.15 (1), (2). Found at [http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$PEN70.15$$@TXPEN070.15+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=17804917+&TARGET=VIEW New York State Assembly website].  Accessed August 6, 2013.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/andrew-cuomo-charged-forcible-touching-misdemeanor-sex-crime-n1282659|title=Andrew Cuomo charged with forcible touching, a misdemeanor sex crime|date=October 28, 2021|website=NBC News|author=Tom Winter, Jonathan Dienst and Dareh Gregorian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andrew-cuomo-forcible-touching-misdemeanor-complaiunt/|title=Andrew Cuomo accused of forcible touching in criminal complaint|first=Victoria|last=Albert|date=October 29, 2021|website=CBS News}}</ref>

For example, [[Virginia]] has four classes of misdemeanors, with Class 1 and Class 2 misdemeanors being punishable by twelve-month and six-month jail sentences, respectively, and Class 3 and Class 4 misdemeanors being non-jail offenses payable by fines.<ref name="leg1.state.va.us">[https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-11/ § 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor], Code of Virginia.</ref>  New York has three classes of misdemeanors: A, B, and Unclassified.<ref>N.Y. Penal L. § 55.05 (2).  Found at [http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$PEN55.05$$@TXPEN055.05+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=17804917+&TARGET=VIEW New York State Assembly website].  Accessed August 6, 2013.</ref>

=== Unclassified misdemeanors ===
[[File:Macro cannabis bud.jpg|thumb|Possession of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] may be an unclassified misdemeanor in parts of the US.]]
In the United States, when a statute does not specify the class of a misdemeanor, it may be referred to as an ''unclassified misdemeanor''.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite web|title=Criminal Justice System for Adults in NYS|url=https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/forensic/manual/html/chapter1.htm|website=Office of Mental Health|publisher=New York State|access-date=19 November 2017}}, {{cite web|title=Misdemeanor and Criminal Violation Cases|url=https://www.courts.oregon.gov/Lane/CriminalandTraffic/pages/misdemean.aspx|website=Lane County Circuit Court|publisher=Oregon Judicial Department|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>

==England and Wales==
{{Expand section|date=September 2020}}
All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour were abolished by section 1(1) of the [[Criminal Law Act 1967]].<ref>[[Owen Hood Phillips|O. Hood Phillips]]. A First Book of English Law. [[Sweet and Maxwell]]. Fourth Edition. 1960. Page 151.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Felony#United States|Convicted felon]]
* [[Federal crime]]
* [[Misdemeanor murder]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}

{{History of English criminal law}}
{{law}}
{{Types of crime}}

[[Category:Criminal law]]
[[Category:Criminal law legal terminology]]
[[Category:Legal terminology]]