what is the difference between a municipal violation and a criminal violation?

Answer 1

A municipal violation is usually a lesser offense. Most crimes are state (or federal) laws. Most cities and counties do not have the authority to enact ordinances making an activity a misdemeanor or felony. So, these civil violations cannot carry sentences of jail time, only monetary fines.

More serious offsenses, those that are considered violations of the crimal code, can carry a jail sentences. But againt, most states do not allow cities and counties to enact their own local criminal statutes.

Answer 2

A criminal violation is an act that goes contrary to the laws of a community or state that is punishable.

A municipal violation is a criminal violation at the municipal level. A municipal court can impose a jail sentence but it may be for a limited amount of time and for lesser offenses (90 days in Pennsylvania for certain misdemeanors and repeat offenses).

A municipality is chartered by the State and the State delegates its authority.

An example would be carrying a firearm in plain view in Colorado. In certain towns, this is acceptable; in downtown Denver, this is not (the state Constitution was written during the era of the Wild Wild West).

A municipal jurisdiction could also "decriminalize" something that is outlawed by the state such as those marriages in San Francisco of same sex couples that happened a while back.

If you have ever seen the movie “Mississippi Burning”, you will see an example of when something was considered not to be a State or Municipal violation, but a Federal criminal violation (KKK members acquitted of murder in state court, but found guilty of civil rights violations in federal court over the same acts)

Think of it this way
Criminal Violations in the US are defined in 3 jurisdictions:
Federal, State, and Local (municipal corporation)

Answer 3

Municipal violations are usually very minor violations. While they are still technically "criminal" offenses, they are almost always infractions (the most minor of criminal charges compared to misdemeanors and felonies). Municipal violations are defined in your city's and/or county's municipal code and include offenses like noise ordinances, business regulations, and dog licences to name just a few. You can most likely find a copy of your city or counties municipal code on their website or at your goverment center/city hall.