misdemeanor
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English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
- misdemeanour (UK)
Etymology[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
misdemeanor (plural misdemeanors) (American spelling)
- (law, US) 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.
Derived terms[edit]
Synonyms[edit]
Translations[edit]
small crime
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See also[edit]
- felony (more serious crime)