Crime Classification 101: Understanding Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions

Question 1

When classifying crimes, which of these is a primary consideration?

Accepted Answer

Severity of potential punishment

Answer

Age of the offender

Answer

Intent of the offender

Question 2

What is the definition of a felony? Provide an example of a felony offense.

Accepted Answer

A serious crime punishable by more than a year in prison, often involving violence or significant harm. (e.g., murder, robbery)

Answer

A minor offense punishable by a fine or short jail sentence. (e.g., traffic violations, disorderly conduct)

Answer

An action that is considered morally wrong but not necessarily a crime. (e.g., lying, gossiping)

Answer

A crime that involves causing damage or destruction to property. (e.g., arson, vandalism)

Question 3

Which characteristic is NOT associated with a felony?

Accepted Answer

Eligible for bail

Answer

Punishable by imprisonment in a state prison

Answer

Prosecutable in federal or state court

Answer

Involves serious criminal conduct

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a misdemeanor offense?

Accepted Answer

Trespassing

Answer

Murder

Answer

Robbery

Answer

Arson

Question 5

What is the typical maximum penalty for an infraction?

Accepted Answer

Fine

Answer

Jail time

Answer

Probation

Answer

Community service

Question 6

Is it accurate to state that all felonies are considered violent crimes?

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 7

How does a crime differ from a tort?

Accepted Answer

Crimes are prosecuted by the government, while torts involve civil lawsuits.

Answer

Torts are intentional harms, while crimes are unintentional harms.

Answer

Crimes are more serious than torts.

Answer

There is no meaningful distinction between crimes and torts

Question 8

A crime that is punishable by a fine of less than $500 is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Infraction

Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Regulatory violation

Question 9

A formal agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor to resolve a criminal case is called a:

Accepted Answer

Plea bargain

Answer

Bench warrant

Answer

Sentencing order

Answer

Miranda rights

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a crime against property?

Accepted Answer

Murder

Answer

Burglary

Answer

Arson

Answer

Larceny

Question 11

A person who assists another person in the commission of a crime is known as an:

Accepted Answer

Accomplice

Answer

Defendant

Answer

Prosecutor

Answer

Witness

Question 12

A crime that is committed with the intent to cause physical harm to another person is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Violent crime

Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Infraction

Question 13

A crime that is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Felony

Answer

Infraction

Answer

Summary offense

Question 14

Which of the following acts is typically classified as an infraction?

Accepted Answer

Speeding

Answer

Murder

Answer

Petty theft

Answer

Assault

Question 15

A crime that involves malicious intent to harm or damage property is known as:

Accepted Answer

Vandalism

Answer

Fraud

Answer

Larceny

Answer

Trespassing

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a possible punishment for a misdemeanor?

Accepted Answer

Capital punishment

Answer

Fines

Answer

Imprisonment in a county jail

Answer

Probation

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a felony in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Can be tried in a juvenile court

Answer

Punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal prison for more than one year

Answer

Typically involves serious bodily harm or property damage

Answer

Can result in the loss of civil rights

Question 18

A crime that is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year but less than life in the United States is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Felony

Answer

Infraction

Answer

Violation

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of a misdemeanor in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Shoplifting

Answer

Murder

Answer

Armed robbery

Answer

Drug trafficking

Question 20

Infractions are the least serious type of crime in the United States and are typically punishable by:

Accepted Answer

Fines

Answer

Probation

Answer

Community service

Answer

Prison time

Question 21

Which of the following factors is generally NOT considered when classifying a crime in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Age of the offender

Answer

Potential harm caused

Answer

Value of property stolen

Answer

Intent of the offender

Question 22

Which type of crime is considered the most severe?

Accepted Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Infraction

Question 23

Which factor is not considered when classifying crimes?

Accepted Answer

Prior criminal record

Answer

Nature of the offense

Answer

Intent of the offender

Question 24

What term describes a crime involving dishonesty or deception?

Accepted Answer

Fraud

Answer

Larceny

Answer

Burglary

Answer

Assault

Question 25

Which of the following is an example of a white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Embezzlement

Answer

Drug trafficking

Answer

Murder

Answer

Larceny

Question 26

Which legal principle states that ignorance of the law is not an excuse for committing a crime?

Accepted Answer

Ignorantia juris non excusat

Answer

Mens rea

Answer

Actus reus

Answer

Due process

Question 27

Which of the following is NOT a type of crime recognized by the United States criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

Civil offense

Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Infraction

Question 28

A crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Infraction

Answer

Violation

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a potential consequence of a misdemeanor conviction?

Accepted Answer

Imprisonment for more than one year

Answer

Fines

Answer

Probation

Answer

Community service

Question 30

A minor offense that typically does not result in jail time is called an:

Accepted Answer

Infraction

Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Contravention

Question 31

A crime that involves the use of force or the threat of force against another person is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Violent crime

Answer

Property crime

Answer

White-collar crime

Answer

Drug crime

Question 32

Which of the following is an example of a white-collar crime?

Accepted Answer

Embezzlement

Answer

Robbery

Answer

Assault

Answer

Murder

Question 33

A crime that involves the illegal possession or distribution of drugs is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Drug crime

Answer

Property crime

Answer

Violent crime

Answer

White-collar crime

Question 34

How do the potential penalties for misdemeanors differ from those for felonies, particularly in terms of the maximum length of imprisonment?

Accepted Answer

Felonies can result in imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are typically limited to one year or less.

Answer

Misdemeanors carry harsher penalties than felonies.

Answer

Moral turpitude is solely associated with felonies, while misdemeanors do not involve such conduct.

Answer

Felonies are exclusively tried in state courts, whereas misdemeanors can be tried in either state or federal courts.

Question 35

In the criminal justice system, which three main factors are used to categorize crimes?

Accepted Answer

Intent of the offender, harm caused, and societal impact

Answer

Prior criminal record of the offender and time of day the crime was committed

Answer

Location of the crime and age of the offender

Question 36

What are the potential penalties for individuals convicted of felony offenses?

Accepted Answer

Fines up to $100,000, imprisonment up to life, and potential loss of civil rights

Answer

Probation, community service, and fines up to $500

Answer

Imprisonment for less than one year and fines up to $1,000

Answer

Fines only, without any possibility of imprisonment

Question 37

How does an infraction conviction typically differ from a misdemeanor conviction in terms of potential consequences?

Accepted Answer

No permanent criminal record

Answer

Longer jail sentence

Answer

Higher fines

Answer

Loss of driving privileges

Question 38

Which factor is NOT considered when classifying a crime?

Accepted Answer

Age of the offender

Answer

Severity of the crime

Answer

Criminal intent

Answer

Value of stolen property (if applicable)

Question 39

Which type of crime is the most serious and can result in lengthy imprisonment or even the death penalty?

Accepted Answer

Felony

Answer

Infraction

Answer

Violation

Answer

Misdemeanor

Question 40

True or False: Misdemeanors are less serious than felonies and typically carry fines, probation, or short jail sentences.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

It depends on the specific misdemeanor

Answer

False

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a factor considered when classifying a crime as a felony or misdemeanor?

Accepted Answer

Age of the offender

Answer

Severity of the crime

Answer

Prior criminal record of the offender

Answer

Financial loss caused

Question 42

What is the primary distinction between a felony and an infraction?

Accepted Answer

Felonies are more serious offenses that carry significant penalties, while infractions are minor violations with lesser consequences.

Answer

Infractions are more serious offenses that carry significant penalties, while felonies are minor violations with lesser consequences.

Answer

Felonies require intent while infractions do not.

Question 43

Which of the following crimes would most likely be classified as a felony in most jurisdictions?

Accepted Answer

Robbery

Answer

Theft of a small amount of money

Answer

Disturbing the peace

Answer

Trespassing

Question 44

Which of the following crimes is an example of an infraction?

Accepted Answer

Jaywalking

Answer

Fraud

Answer

Arson

Answer

Assault

Question 45

What is the primary purpose of classifying crimes?

Accepted Answer

To determine appropriate punishments, guide law enforcement decisions, and inform public policy.

Answer

To categorize offenders for rehabilitation programs

Answer

To provide a basis for statistical analysis

Question 46

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a felony?

Accepted Answer

Punishable by a fine only

Answer

Carries a possible death sentence

Answer

Potentially punishable by imprisonment for more than one year

Answer

Typically involves serious harm or loss

Question 47

A crime punishable by less than a year in jail is classified as a:

Accepted Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Infraction

Answer

Felony

Answer

Petty offense

Question 48

Which of the following is usually a minor violation often punishable by a fine?

Accepted Answer

Infraction

Answer

Capital offense

Answer

Misdemeanor

Answer

Felony

Question 49

A crime with a potential death penalty is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Capital offense

Answer

Aggravated offense

Answer

Felony

Answer

Misdemeanor

Question 50

Which factor is generally NOT considered when determining the seriousness of a crime?

Accepted Answer

The offender's age

Answer

The offender's criminal record

Answer

The harm caused by the crime

Answer

The intent of the offender

Question 51

A crime that involves stealing someone's belongings is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Theft

Answer

Assault

Answer

Homicide

Answer

Fraud

Question 52

Which of the following crimes is NON-violent?

Accepted Answer

Embezzlement

Answer

Assault

Answer

Murder

Answer

Robbery

Question 53

A crime involving causing physical harm to another person is called:

Accepted Answer

Assault

Answer

Fraud

Answer

Trespassing

Answer

Libel

Question 54

A potential consequence of committing a felony is:

Accepted Answer

Imprisonment for over a year

Answer

Probation

Answer

Fine not exceeding $1,000

Answer

Community service

Question 55

A crime that intentionally kills another person is classified as:

Accepted Answer

Homicide

Answer

Assault

Answer

Manslaughter

Answer

Robbery