What Is the Difference Between a Class-A and a Class-C Misdemeanor?
- Misdemeanors are criminal offenses that are not as serious as felony crimes such as homicide, kidnapping or rape. Instead, misdemeanors include drunk driving, petty theft, simple assault, disturbing the peace, some traffic violations and simple battery offenses. Misdemeanors are tried in the lower court such as justice, municipal or police courts, according to U.S. Legal, instead of criminal courts. Depending on the state, misdemeanors are separated by numbers or the alphabet. When they are separated by alphabet, states typically label them as class A, class B and class C misdemeanors.
- Class A misdemeanors are more serious offenses because the person inflicted some kind of harm to someone. For example, stalking, check fraud and assault are considered class A misdemeanors. A person convicted of class A misdemeanors receives tougher punishment than any other classes. For example, if a person is found guilty or pleads no contest to a class A misdemeanor offense he can receive from nine months to a year in county jail. Also, pay he could be forced to a fine of approximately $10,000.
- Class B misdemeanors are less in severity than class A. This means if a person is convicted or pleads guilty to a class B misdemeanor he receives less punishment or jail time. The penalty for a class B misdemeanor is up to three to nine months in county jail. The judge may make her pay a fine of more than $1,000. If the judge decides to impose probation, the individual can stay on probation for a longer period of time than with a class C misdemeanor.
- Class C misdemeanors are considered lesser criminal acts, according to Public Records Guide. Typically, crimes such as prostitution, vandalism or petty theft are considered class C misdemeanors. Unlike a class A or B that has more than $1,000 in fines and less than three months in county jail, class misdemeanors are less severe. When an individual is convicted or pleads no contest to a misdemeanor charge, a judge can impose a penalty of up 30 days in county jail and pay up to $500 in fines.