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A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is less serious than a felony. The origin of the word is generally thought to be from mis- (1) "wrong" + M.E. demenure(as in demeanor).
Conversely, a felony is the term used for very serious crimes. The origin of the word is generally thought to be from O.Fr.felon "wicked person, traitor, rebel," from M.L.fellonem "evil-doer."
Each state and the federal government has its own criminal code which classifies crimes as either misdemeanors or felonies, and assigns the punishment for each crime.
In federal criminal law a misdemeanor is generally a crime punishable by five days to a year in jail and a felony is a crime punishable by over one year in prison.
As an aside, a jail may hold inmates that have merely been accused of a crime (under federal, state, county and/or city laws) and are awaiting trial as well as inmates who have been convicted of a crime and imprisoned for up to one year.
Prison inmates have been tried and convicted of crimes (typically felonies). Prisons are either administered by the federal government or a state.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe differences between the two are set by statute when the state legislature (or in the case of Federal offenses, Congress) passes the law. Misdemeanor crimes are punishable by imprisonment for NOT MORE than one year, and/or a fine NOT EXCEEDING $1,000. Felony crimes are punishable by imprisonment for MORE THAN one year and/or a fine of MORE THAN $1,000.
A felony is punishable by more than a year in prison, a misdemeanor is a year or less. That doesn't mean you will necessarily get more than a year for a felony, but that you could. Typically the laws specify whether a specific crime is a considered one or the other.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoGenerally felonies are more serious crimes and have possible prison terms ranging from one year to possibly death. Misdemeanors are less serious, and have a maximum sentence of less than one year in the county jail. For more on this topic, please see the related links below.
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What is the difference between felony and misdemeanor probation?
The difference between felony and misdemeanor probation is the felony is when a person is sentence to a jail term, but it can be served out of jail. The misdemeanor probation is not given jail time. They serve a probation period.
What is the difference between a misdemeanor DUI and a felony DUI?
Jail time. misdemeanor is for the first time to the second. third and up is felony.
Difference between non violent felony and non violent misdemeanor?
The difference between ANY felony and ANY misdemeanor is the length of the sentence or the amount of the fine that the legislature attached to the law when they passed it.
Felony theft and misdemeanor theft in Illinois?
In many states the difference between felony and misdemeanor theft is whether the theft was above or under $500.
What is the difference between a violation a misdemeanor and a felony in New York State?
By statute: For a misdemeanor you can be sentenced up to a one year in jail, for a felony you can be sentenced to more than one year and one day in prison.
Difference between check fraud felony and misdemeanor?
Is the amount the deciding factor?
What makes felony possession verses misdemeanor og marijuana?
It depends on the state, but typically the amount of drugs someone is carrying and the type of drug can make the difference between a misdemeanor or a felony.
What is a b felony misdemeanor?
A felony is not a misdemeanor, and a misdemeanor is not a felony.
Is shoplifting a felony in Nevada?
Shoplifting is a generic description for the offense of LARCENY. The difference between a misdemeanor charge and a felony charge can hinge on the total value of the items stolen. (for instance: some states set the "break point" between a misdemeanor and a felony offense at $100. - if the total stolen is less than that it's misdemeanor - more than that it's a felony.) You 'll have to check Nevada's state statutes.
Is a High Court Misdemeanor a Felony?
No, a High Court Misdemeanor is not a Felony. a Misdemeanor is a Misdemeanor and Felony is a higher different judgement.
How much jail time or prison for 2-felony's and 5-misdemeanor?
Depends on what they are. In some states, multiple counts of DUI are a felony.... slight difference between that and, say, capital murder.
What the difference between decriminalized and legalized?
Decriminalize means that the law does not recognize the offense as a felony as it used to. The law has be reclassified as a misdemeanor. Legalize is obvious.
