Misdemeanor vs. Infraction

Misdemeanornoun

A crime usually punishable upon conviction by a small fine or by a short term of imprisonment. In the USA, misdemeanants usually are incarcerated in county jail for less than one year, but felons usually are incarcerated in state or federal prison for more than one year. Crimes which are punishable by large fines or by longer imprisonment are sometimes called felonies.

Misdemeanornoun

Ill behavior; evil conduct; fault.

Misdemeanornoun

A crime less than a felony.

Misdemeanornoun

a crime less serious than a felony

Misdemeanor

A misdemeanor (American English, spelled misdemeanour in British English) is any criminal act in some common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished less severely than more serious felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions (also known as minor, petty, or summary offences) and regulatory offences.

Infractionnoun

(legal) A minor offence, petty crime

Infractionnoun

a violation; breach

Infractionnoun

(ice hockey) A major violation of rules which leads to a penalty, if detected by the referee.

Infractionnoun

The act of infracting or breaking; breach; violation; nonobservance; infringement; as, an infraction of a treaty, compact, rule, or law.

Infractionnoun

a crime less serious than a felony