Misdemeanor
In one sentence
A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines.
Plain English
A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is less severe than a felony. Typical punishments include jail time of up to one year, fines, or both, depending on the specific crime and jurisdiction. Common misdemeanors include shoplifting, simple assault, disorderly conduct, and driving with a suspended license. While less serious than felonies, misdemeanors still create a criminal record and can affect employment and housing.
Example
Jessica was arrested for shoplifting a $40 item from a department store. She was charged with a misdemeanor, pleaded guilty, and received 30 days in jail plus a $200 fine.
Used in a sentence
“He was convicted of a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct after the bar incident.”
How Misdemeanor differs by state
Misdemeanor can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
Alabama misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
Alaska
Alaska misdemeanors carry up to 90 days in jail and/or fines up to $1,000, with stricter limits than most states.
Arizona
Arizona misdemeanors carry up to six months in jail and/or fines up to $2,500, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
Arkansas
Arkansas misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000, following the standard model.
California
California misdemeanors carry up to six months in jail and/or fines up to $1,000, with "wobbler" crimes that can be charged as felonies.
Colorado
Colorado classifies misdemeanors as crimes punishable by up to 12 months jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
Connecticut
Connecticut misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or fines, with Class B and C misdemeanors being most common.
Delaware
Delaware misdemeanors are unclassified crimes punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
Florida
Florida divides misdemeanors into first-degree (up to one year) and second-degree (up to 60 days) categories.
Georgia
Georgia misdemeanors carry up to 12 months jail and/or fines up to $1,000, with no formal subclassifications.
Hawaii
Hawaii treats misdemeanors as crimes punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
Idaho
Idaho defines misdemeanors as crimes punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
Illinois
Illinois misdemeanors carry up to one year jail time and/or fines, with Class A misdemeanors being the most serious.
Indiana
Indiana classifies misdemeanors into Classes A, B, and C, with Class A punishable by up to one year in jail.
Iowa
Iowa misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines, with aggravated misdemeanors carrying enhanced penalties.
Kansas
Kansas misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or $2,500 fine; repeat offenses trigger enhanced penalties.
Kentucky
Kentucky misdemeanors carry up to 12 months jail and/or $250 fine; Class A misdemeanors allow up to one year.
Louisiana
Louisiana misdemeanors carry up to six months jail and/or $500 fine; simple crimes follow this standard penalty range.
Maine
Maine misdemeanors carry up to 364 days jail and/or $2,000 fine; Class D crimes are the primary misdemeanor category.
Maryland
Maryland misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or $500 fine; some crimes allow up to three years for repeat offenders.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts misdemeanors carry up to two years in jail, exceeding the one-year federal standard.
Michigan
Michigan misdemeanors carry up to 93 days in jail for most offenses, significantly lower than the national standard.
Minnesota
Minnesota misdemeanors carry up to 90 days in jail and/or fines up to $1,000 for most offenses.
Mississippi
Mississippi misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and/or fines, matching the federal standard.
Missouri
Missouri misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and/or fines, with Class A misdemeanors as the most serious tier.
Montana
Montana classifies misdemeanors as crimes punishable by up to 6 months in county jail and/or fines up to $500.
Nebraska
Nebraska misdemeanors carry up to 3 months in county jail and/or fines up to $500, with some enhanced misdemeanors allowing longer sentences.
Nevada
Nevada misdemeanors are punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or fines up to $1,000, with some categories allowing up to 1 year.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in jail and/or fines up to $1,200, matching the general federal standard.
New Jersey
New Jersey uses a "disorderly persons offense" label instead of misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
New Mexico
New Mexico misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
New York
New York misdemeanors carry up to one year jail; some carry only fines or conditional discharge.
North Carolina
North Carolina misdemeanors carry up to one year jail; Class 3 misdemeanors may carry only fines.
North Dakota
North Dakota misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or fines up to $3,000.
Ohio
Ohio misdemeanors carry up to one year jail; fourth-degree misdemeanors may carry only fines.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000, with some enhanced penalties for repeat offenses.
Oregon
Oregon misdemeanors result in up to one year in county jail and/or fines up to $6,250, with Class A misdemeanors being the most serious.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania misdemeanors carry up to two years in jail and/or fines, with first and second-degree categories carrying different penalties.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $500, with some offenses carrying higher penalties.
South Carolina
South Carolina misdemeanors carry up to 30 days in jail and/or fines up to $100 for simple misdemeanors, with more serious misdemeanors punishable up to one year.
South Dakota
South Dakota misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or $2,000 fine, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
Tennessee
Tennessee misdemeanors are punishable by up to 11 months 29 days in jail and/or fines, avoiding the one-year federal threshold.
Texas
Texas misdemeanors divide into three classes with maximum jail terms ranging from 30 days to one year depending on severity.
Utah
Utah misdemeanors carry up to one year jail and/or $2,500 fine, with three severity levels affecting sentencing.
Vermont
Vermont misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year jail and/or $1,000 fine, with enhanced penalties for domestic violence offenses.
Virginia
Virginia misdemeanors carry up to 12 months jail and/or fines, with some crimes classified as Class 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Washington
Washington misdemeanors punish up to 90 days jail and/or $1,000 fine, with gross misdemeanors allowing up to one year.
West Virginia
West Virginia misdemeanors allow up to six months jail and/or $100 to $500 fine, depending on the offense.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin misdemeanors carry up to nine months jail and/or $10,000 fine, with Class A and B distinctions.
Wyoming
Wyoming misdemeanors punish up to six months jail and/or $750 fine, with some crimes allowing higher fines.
District of Columbia
DC misdemeanors carry up to 180 days jail and/or $1,000 fine; some offenses allow up to one year.
Related terms
Felony
A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.
Sentencing
The judge's decision on punishment after a defendant is found guilty.
criminal intent
The mental state or purpose required to commit a crime.
accomplice liability
Legal responsibility for a crime based on helping or encouraging someone else to commit it.
habitual offender
A person with multiple prior criminal convictions who faces enhanced penalties for new crimes under habitual offender laws.
bad check
Writing a check when you lack sufficient funds or a valid account to cover it.
Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Castle Doctrine
A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.