Editing Misdemeanor (section)

== Misdemeanor classes ==

Depending on the jurisdiction, several classes of misdemeanors may exist. The forms of punishment can vary widely between those classes. For example, the federal and some [[U.S. state|state]] governments in the United States divide misdemeanors into several classes, with certain classes punishable by jail time and others carrying only a fine.<ref>See, e.g., {{usc|18|3559}}</ref>  In New York law, a Class A Misdemeanor, which among other things includes the [[sex crime]] of forcible touching, carries a maximum sentence of one year of imprisonment, while a Class B Misdemeanor "shall not exceed three months".<ref>N.Y. Penal L. § 70.15 (1), (2). Found at [http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$PEN70.15$$@TXPEN070.15+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=17804917+&TARGET=VIEW New York State Assembly website].  Accessed August 6, 2013.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/andrew-cuomo-charged-forcible-touching-misdemeanor-sex-crime-n1282659|title=Andrew Cuomo charged with forcible touching, a misdemeanor sex crime|date=October 28, 2021|website=NBC News|author=Tom Winter, Jonathan Dienst and Dareh Gregorian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/andrew-cuomo-forcible-touching-misdemeanor-complaiunt/|title=Andrew Cuomo accused of forcible touching in criminal complaint|first=Victoria|last=Albert|date=October 29, 2021|website=CBS News}}</ref>

For example, [[Virginia]] has four classes of misdemeanors, with Class 1 and Class 2 misdemeanors being punishable by twelve-month and six-month jail sentences, respectively, and Class 3 and Class 4 misdemeanors being non-jail offenses payable by fines.<ref name="leg1.state.va.us">[https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/18.2-11/ § 18.2-11. Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor], Code of Virginia.</ref>  New York has three classes of misdemeanors: A, B, and Unclassified.<ref>N.Y. Penal L. § 55.05 (2).  Found at [http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/LAWSSEAF.cgi?QUERYTYPE=LAWS+&QUERYDATA=$$PEN55.05$$@TXPEN055.05+&LIST=LAW+&BROWSER=EXPLORER+&TOKEN=17804917+&TARGET=VIEW New York State Assembly website].  Accessed August 6, 2013.</ref>

=== Unclassified misdemeanors ===
[[File:Macro cannabis bud.jpg|thumb|Possession of [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]] may be an unclassified misdemeanor in parts of the US.]]
In the United States, when a statute does not specify the class of a misdemeanor, it may be referred to as an ''unclassified misdemeanor''.<ref>See, e.g., {{cite web|title=Criminal Justice System for Adults in NYS|url=https://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/forensic/manual/html/chapter1.htm|website=Office of Mental Health|publisher=New York State|access-date=19 November 2017}}, {{cite web|title=Misdemeanor and Criminal Violation Cases|url=http://www.courts.oregon.gov/Lane/CriminalandTraffic/pages/misdemean.aspx|website=Lane County Circuit Court|publisher=Oregon Judicial Department|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref>