misdemeanour
Lesser criminal charge
A misdemeanour is a minor criminal offence, less serious than a felony but more serious than an infraction.
In legal systems that distinguish between the two, misdemeanours typically carry lighter penalties—fines or short jail sentences rather than prison time: Shoplifting is usually charged as a misdemeanour.
Outside legal contexts, misdemeanour means any minor misbehaviour or wrongdoing: youthful misdemeanours.
The American spelling is misdemeanor.
Unsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- misdeedImmoral or illegal act
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
- transgressionViolation of law or code
breach · lapse · infringement · offense · fault · misstep · slip-up · peccadillo
Minor legal violation
- vandalismWillful property damage
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
- disorderly conductCriminal public disturbance charge
public intoxication · loitering · jaywalking · littering · disturbing the peace · simple assault · fare evasion · reckless driving
Charge-reading court session
- bailCourt-set release payment
- citationMention of a source
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
- defendantParty facing charges
expungement · felony · indictment · judge · jurisdiction · magistrate · ordinance · parole
Of little importance
- trivialLacking significance or weight
- slightMinor or thin
- lesserLower in degree
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
venial · nonserious · inconsequential · forgivable · excusable · pardonable · low-level · small-scale
impropriety
Unsuitable or inappropriate behavior
- indiscretionUnwise act or remark
- misdeedImmoral or illegal act
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
transgression · breach · lapse · infringement · offense · fault · misstep · slip-up · peccadillo · error
petty crime
Minor legal violation
- vandalismWillful property damage
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- shopliftingStealing store merchandise
disorderly conduct · public intoxication · loitering · jaywalking · littering · disturbing the peace · simple assault · fare evasion · reckless driving · harassment
arraignment
Charge-reading court session
defendant · expungement · felony · indictment · judge · jurisdiction · magistrate · ordinance · parole · plea
petty
Of little importance
light · venial · nonserious · inconsequential · forgivable · excusable · pardonable · low-level · small-scale · infraction
misdemeanourfelony
Serious criminal offense
capital offense · high crime · violent crime · criminal act · infraction
misdemeanourvirtue
Moral goodness or merit
good deed · moral excellence · noble act · propriety · good behavior
misdemeanourcompliance
Adhering to requirements
obedience · good behavior · conformity · lawfulness · innocence
- misdemeanor chargeAccusation of minor crime
- misdemeanor casesProsecutions for minor crimes