What Are the Different Types of Misdemeanor Punishment?
A misdemeanor is a crime which is deemed less serious than a felony, but more serious than an infraction. Misdemeanor punishment norms vary, depending on where one is, and not all governments distinguish a particular class of crimes as misdemeanors. Such crimes are generally associated with low levels of financial or personal damage; throwing a rock through a window might be a misdemeanor, for example, while beating someone with that rock would be felony assault.
A misdemeanor is a crime which is deemed less serious than a felony, but more serious than an infraction. Misdemeanor punishment norms vary, depending on where one is, and not all governments distinguish a particular class of crimes as misdemeanors. Such crimes are generally associated with low levels of financial or personal damage; throwing a rock through a window might be a misdemeanor, for example, while beating someone with that rock would be felony assault. Some examples of misdemeanor punishment include: fines, prison, or forfeiture. Usually fines for misdemeanors are capped by law, and in regions where there is a misdemeanor classification for certain types of crimes, misdemeanors may be broken up into various lesser classes. Depending on what class a misdemeanor falls under, the amount of the fine might vary, and a judge may be given final discretion when it comes to deciding exactly how heavy a fine should be.
