Definition

Misdemeanour (Ro.: delict, infracțiune minoră/ cu grad scăzut de pericol social, Gr.: πλημέλλημα, Cz.: přečin) (See also: delict, offense, breach, violation, wrongdoing) = a crime considered less grave. In many legal systems misdemeanours are classified into four classes depending on the seriousness of the crime, class A or 1 gathering the most serious misdemeanours and class D or 4 the lesser grave misdemeanours.

It is considered less serious than a ‘felony’ and is usually punishable with a warning, fine, penalty, court supervision or with imprisonment up to 1 year. For example, these are considered to be misdemeanours: various traffic violations, disturbing the peace, driving drunk without causing injury to others. 

 

Useful links

Legislation

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/44/introduction - Criminal Justice Act 2003

http://legislationline.org/download/action/download/id/3235/file/Germany_CC_1971_amended_2009_en.pdf - Criminal Code of Germany

Organizations and associations

http://www.trynova.org/ - National Organization for Victim Assistance

http://www.victimsofcrime.org/ - The National Centre for Victims of Crime

http://www.hirenetwork.org/content/about-us - The National H.I.R.E Network

Publications

Lindquist, John H, 1988, Misdemeanor crime: trivial crime pursuit, Newbury Park, Sage Publications

Goeble, Julius, 1937, Felony and Misdemeanor: A study in the History of English Criminal Procedure, Vol. 1, United Kingdom, Commonwealth Fund

Online Publications

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/crimes-felonies-misdemeanors-infractions-classification-33814.html - Bergman, Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions: Classifying Crimes, Nolo Law for all

 

By Ioana Bărăian