It is a crime. You will be ticketed if caught. I don't think it is a "crime" more a moving violation, still worth a ticket though. It is breaking the law. Thus it is a crime. It is indeed a moving...
The demerit points system is pretty much the same in every state, so you are looking at 4 points. However, you should go to court and ask the Judge to send you to a traffic school. Worst case...