What is a crimanal offense?

Answer 1

Just another term for a crime. Criminal offenses are categorized as infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies. An infraction is a crime that is not punishable by jail time-- only by fine or suspension of privilege (e.g., driver license, fishing license, professional license), or revocation of such. The penalties can increase with frequency and can be upgraded to a misdemeanor if committed habitually. A misdemeanor is a crime that is less serious than a felony but punishable by jail time, fine or both. In most states the maximum jail time is one or two years, and the fine is up to $1000 depending on the severity and frequency of the violation. Many misdemeanors can be upgraded to a felony if the offense is habitual, involves more than a certain amount of money, or if the victim is injured or dies. A felony is a more serious offense and is further classified according to frequency of offense, injury or death to victim, loss of money to victim. Accordingly the penalties can range from a short county jail term to life in prison, or the death penalty. Crimes that are punishable by death are known as capital crimes.