misdemeanor

American  

[mis-di-mee-ner] / ˌmɪs dɪˈmi nər /

especially British, misdemeanour

noun

1. Law. a criminal offense defined as less serious than a felony.

2. an instance of misbehavior; misdeed.

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misdemeanor Cultural  

1. A minor crime, punishable by a fine or a light jail term. Common misdemeanors, such as traffic violations, are usually dealt with informally, without a trial. (Compare felony.)

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Etymology

Origin of misdemeanor

First recorded in 1480–90; mis- ¹ + demeanor

Example Sentences

Judge Dugan pleaded not guilty, and a jury acquitted her on a misdemeanor charge of concealing a wanted person.

From The Wall Street Journal

In California, a contractor’s license is required for any project over $1,000, and operating without one can result in misdemeanor charges resulting in up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

From Los Angeles Times

Though contracting without a license is normally a misdemeanor, it is a felony when done in connection with an area damaged by a natural disaster, Hochman said.

From Los Angeles Times

Prosecutors charged Banvait with negligent homicide, a misdemeanor punishable in Ohio by a maximum of six months in jail.

From The Wall Street Journal

Contempt of Congress is a federal misdemeanor offense, meaning a person cannot be sentenced to more than a year.

From Salon

Related Words

• offense
• transgression
• violation