Misdemeanoroffenses(轻罪)-法律英语Misdemeanoroffenses(轻罪)Juveniles,orpeopleundertheageofeighteen,areusuallytriedinajuvenilecourtformisdemeanoroffenses
Misdemeanoroffensesarenotseriouscrimeslikemurder,rape,orassault,buttheyarestillseriousenoughtowarrantpunishment
Crimesareusuallyclassifiedasfeloniesandmisdemeanors
Generallyspeaking,feloniesarethemoreseriouscrimesandareusuallypunishablebyimprisonmentinapenitentiary(pen-uh-’tench-uh-ree)
Misdemeanorsareoffensesofalessseriousnatureandarepunishablebyafineorimprisonmentinacountyorlocaljail
Committingaforgeryisafelony,butdrivinganautomobileinexcessofthespeedlimitisamisdemeanor
Thecriminalstatutesdefinetheactsthatarefeloniesandmisdemeanors
Occasionally,thesameoffensemaybeeitheramisdemeanororafelony,dependingonitsdegree
Forexample,thefirstoffenseofacrime