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What are the Different Misdemeanor Penalties?

Felicia Dye
Felicia Dye

Misdemeanors are crimes that are less serious than felonies. This does not mean that committing such a crime does not have consequences. There are a number of misdemeanor penalties a judge can impose on those found guilty. These include ordering fines, community service, or incarceration.

Misdemeanors can be handled differently from one state to another. In some states there are classifications of misdemeanors. In such instances, those convicted of the more severe classifications are generally susceptible to harsher misdemeanor penalties.

Someone who commits a misdemeanor might be sentenced to jail, or even prison.
Someone who commits a misdemeanor might be sentenced to jail, or even prison.

Court-imposed fines are commonly used as misdemeanor penalties. These penalties involve a judge requiring a guilty person to pay a certain amount of money. In some instances, there may be a maximum fine attached to the crime. In other instances, the amount a judge orders to be paid may be limited by the classification of the misdemeanor. There is generally a set date by which the payment must be made.

Individuals charged with committing a misdemeanor may face arrest.
Individuals charged with committing a misdemeanor may face arrest.

Conviction of a misdemeanor could result in the loss of liberty. Those found guilty may be sentenced to periods of incarceration. Such sentences are often suspended. When they are not, they are usually carried out in jails. It is relatively rare for a misdemeanor offender to be sent to prison.

A judge may decide not to impose a jail sentence. Instead, he may decide probation is a more fitting penalty. Probation is a punishment that gives a probation officer authority over a person. During the probation period, he is generally required to adhere to certain conditions. These could include an imposed curfew and the requirement to live in a certain place.

Misdemeanors may result in heavy fines depending on the severity.
Misdemeanors may result in heavy fines depending on the severity.

Community service is another misdemeanor penalty a judge can order. This involves a person doing work for a community cause without being paid. There are usually a set number of hours the person must complete by a certain date. Examples of community service can include picking up litter from the highway, working at a community center, or helping renovate a public building.

Some misdemeanors arise from traffic-related offenses. When this is the case, a person may have her driver’s license suspended. It is also possible that she may be ordered to attend a driving school.

A shoplifter is likely to receive probation instead of jail time as a punishment.
A shoplifter is likely to receive probation instead of jail time as a punishment.

In many instances, a person is susceptible to multiple misdemeanor penalties. A judge does not have to choose one over the other. He may, for example, impose both a jail sentence and a fine. In many instances, jail sentences are reduced and followed by a period of probation.

Discussion Comments

anon350908

There is important information missing. I read on here that the maximum jail sentence is one year for a misdemeanor, and maximum probation is one year. OK, so can the judge sentence you to one year in jail followed by one year on probation? Often the judges here do combinations of jail and probation. So what is the maximum length of time for probation and jail combined? Is it still a maximum of one year total? Or can it exceed one year total?

rjohnson

I think attending classes like AA or anger management can be misdemeanor penalties, no?

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    • Someone who commits a misdemeanor might be sentenced to jail, or even prison.
      By: angelo.gi
      Someone who commits a misdemeanor might be sentenced to jail, or even prison.
    • Individuals charged with committing a misdemeanor may face arrest.
      By: Ariusz
      Individuals charged with committing a misdemeanor may face arrest.
    • Misdemeanors may result in heavy fines depending on the severity.
      By: Mamuka
      Misdemeanors may result in heavy fines depending on the severity.
    • A shoplifter is likely to receive probation instead of jail time as a punishment.
      By: Gina Sanders
      A shoplifter is likely to receive probation instead of jail time as a punishment.
    • Misdemeanor probation may be handed out following a trespassing conviction.
      By: Konstantin Sutyagin
      Misdemeanor probation may be handed out following a trespassing conviction.