What's the difference between?

Question

an infraction, midameaner, and a felony?



Thanks!


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Answer 1

"What's the difference between: an infraction, misdemeanor, and a felony?"

The quick answer to your question is "Felonies are the most serious criminal offenses, misdemeanors are lesser criminal offenses and infractions may include the least serious criminal offenses or violations of civil law."

Generally, "infractions" are for things that the criminal courts would rather not spend a lot of time addressing, so special administrative courts with special rules have been created to deal with them. Parking and traffic violations are probably the best example of an "infraction." Some states and municipalities have "civil" parking and traffic infractions that do not involve imprisonment and for which indigent persons can't, therefore, request a court appointed attorney.

Misdemeanors are "lesser criminal offenses" that often do not result in arrest but in a citation (or "ticket") to pay a fine or appear before a court to argue why you should not. Usually, misdemeanors are punishable by imprisonment for less than twelve months, but often, the court imposes a lesser penalty-- like a fine or community service or both.

Felonies are the most serious criminal offenses. While they vary from state to state, generally, a felony is a criminal offense punishable at least by more than one year of imprisonment.

[This is not legal advice. You should consult a licensed attorney-at-law for legal advice and representation before making decisions that may affect your legal rights.]

Answer 2

Infraction is a simple violation of rules of the community the penalty is usually a fine only,
Misdemeanor is a misbehavior like not obeying traffic rules where the penalty is a short imprisonment or community service, and
Felony is a crime which is more severe because it is included in the Penal Law and the punishment ranges from imprisonment to death.

Answer 3

The difference is in the punishments.