A less serious crime, generally punishable by less than one year in jail or a fine.
Cases that turn on it
The 5 real court cases in the library whose brief uses this term. Read the facts, then decide — the verdict stays in the game.
The Needle Marks1960Robinson v. California — Violation of California Health & Safety Code § 11721 — Being Addicted to Narcotics
The Oil Pipeline1999United States v. Hanousek — Negligent Discharge of a Harmful Quantity of Oil into a Navigable Water — Clean Water Act (Federal Misdemeanor)
The Drug Company President1943United States v. Dotterweich — Introducing Misbranded and Adulterated Drugs into Interstate Commerce (Federal Misdemeanor)
The Highway Stop1984Berkemer v. McCarty — Driving Under the Influence (Misdemeanor)
The Two-Hour Wait2001Illinois v. McArthur — Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Marijuana