英國(guó)1967年刑法條例已廢除misdemeanour和felony之間的一切區(qū)別，但是在美國(guó)，這兩者還是有區(qū)別的，下面就讓我們來(lái)看看區(qū)別在哪里。
Most states in USA divide their crimes into two major groups —— felonies and misdemeanors. Whether a crime falls into one category or the other depends on the potential punishment. If a law provides for imprisonment for longer than a year， the crime is usually considered a felony. If the potential punishment is for a year or less， then the act is considered a misdemeanor. In some states， certain crimes， called "wobblers，" may be either a misdemeanor or a felony， because the judge has the power to impose a sentence of less than a year （making the crime a misdemeanor） or more than a year （making it a felony）。
Behaviors punishable only by fine are usually not considered crimes at all， but infractions —— traffic tickets， for example. But a legislature may on occasion punish behavior only by fine and still provide that it is a misdemeanor， such as possession of less than an ounce of marijuana for personal use in California.
Most states in USA divide their crimes into two major groups —— felonies and misdemeanors. Whether a crime falls into one category or the other depends on the potential punishment. If a law provides for imprisonment for longer than a year， the crime is usually considered a felony. If the potential punishment is for a year or less， then the act is considered a misdemeanor. In some states， certain crimes， called "wobblers，" may be either a misdemeanor or a felony， because the judge has the power to impose a sentence of less than a year （making the crime a misdemeanor） or more than a year （making it a felony）。
Behaviors punishable only by fine are usually not considered crimes at all， but infractions —— traffic tickets， for example. But a legislature may on occasion punish behavior only by fine and still provide that it is a misdemeanor， such as possession of less than an ounce of marijuana for personal use in California.