50 ‘most charged’ crimes defined
WHAT IS A MISDEMEANOR?
A misdemeanor is any crime which is punishable by a stay in the county jail of up to 364 days.
You go to jail for violating a misdemeanor statute.
You go to prison for violating a felony statute.
You do not loose your civil rights if you are convicted of a misdemeanor charge. Unless the misdemeanor a crime of dishonesty (such as theft) it does not affect your ability to obtain a license in most professions.
Although you can be placed on probation for misdemeanor, a maximum period of probation can not be greater than one year.
If you violate any conditions of misdemeanor probation the judge can send you to jail for a maximum of one year.
In most states conviction of two misdemeanor theft charges can result in a felony theft charge for any subsequent theft arrest.