Gross misdemeanor
Encyclopedia
In American law
, a gross misdemeanor is a crime
which is more serious than a misdemeanor
, but is still classified as a minor crime, as opposed to serious crimes
. Such crimes may include petty theft, simple assault or driving under the influence
. Typically, the maximum sentence
is one year in county jail and/or $5,000 in fines.
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
, a gross misdemeanor is a crime
Crime
Crime is the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority can ultimately prescribe a conviction...
which is more serious than a misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
, but is still classified as a minor crime, as opposed to serious crimes
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
. Such crimes may include petty theft, simple assault or driving under the influence
Driving under the influence
Driving under the influence is the act of driving a motor vehicle with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit...
. Typically, the maximum sentence
Sentence (law)
In law, a sentence forms the final explicit act of a judge-ruled process, and also the symbolic principal act connected to his function. The sentence can generally involve a decree of imprisonment, a fine and/or other punishments against a defendant convicted of a crime...
is one year in county jail and/or $5,000 in fines.