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What is an Infraction?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

An infraction is a somewhat broad term used to describe the breaking of the law. Most often, the term refers to a fairly minor law or local ordinance. As a legal term, it is generally only used in the United States, with most Common Law countries using different terms to describe similar offenses. An infraction is generally viewed as being less serious than a misdemeanor, and is often handled differently from other violations of the law.

Although technically a violation of statutory law, the way most infractions are treated makes them seem more akin to a civil offense. For example, an infraction does not receive the benefit of a jury trial, as a judge simply presides over the proceedings and passes judgment. Similarly, while a criminal case generally requires that proof be presented showing guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, in many areas a person may be convicted of an infraction if a simple preponderance of evidence is shown.

An infraction may include being cited for a public disturbance due to intoxication.
An infraction may include being cited for a public disturbance due to intoxication.

In nearly all cases, being convicted of an infraction does not result in any loss of liberty. It is very uncommon for conviction to result in incarceration, although the United States Criminal (USC) code sets a maximum penalty of five days in prison. Further, a fine can be assessed, but cannot exceed $5,000 US Dollars (USD), and it is very rare for one to exceed even $1,000 USD. Occasionally, incarceration will be included as a penalty in cases where it is deemed necessary by a citing officer, such when someone cited for a public disturbance due to being intoxicated is placed in a holding cell until they become sober. In other cases, a minor suspension of liberty may be included, if it fits the crime, or is a repeated offense.

Common infractions are petty offenses such as jaywalking.
Common infractions are petty offenses such as jaywalking.

Some common infractions are petty offenses such as littering or jaywalking. These crimes can generally be cited by any administrative official, not just an officer of the law. Generally, no court hearing is even held, and an infraction is looked at as essentially a conviction, although it may still be contested in some cases, if the defendant insists. Other crimes which may be infractions in a jurisdiction are falsifying information and disturbing the peace.

Speeding might be deemed an infraction in places where such violations are common.
Speeding might be deemed an infraction in places where such violations are common.

Some jurisdictions have taken common misdemeanors and made them infractions to simplify citations and processing. For example, in Oregon possessing a small amount of marijuana is viewed as an infraction, rather than a misdemeanor crime, making it much easier to handle the large number of people convicted of this crime. Similarly, in a number of traffic corridors in the United States, where excessive speeding is a frequent problem, speeding is viewed as an infraction rather than a misdemeanor.

Some court jurisdictions allows certain misdemeanors to be reclassified as infractions.
Some court jurisdictions allows certain misdemeanors to be reclassified as infractions.

At the discretion of a judge, many regions allow certain classes of misdemeanor to be reduced to this level, so that a conviction does not impact the defendant’s criminal record as drastically. This is especially true in first time offenses for crimes such as petty theft, disturbing the peace, possession of marijuana, and trespassing. In these cases a lenient judge will often find a defendant guilty, but reduce the crime, at the same time giving a stern warning that further violations of the law will be punished as full misdemeanors.

Discussion Comments

anon79670

that is not what infraction is, really. i just had the police here over my daughter and they checked me out of course and they said i had an infraction, but i don't see how since i haven't been in trouble in two and half years, so an error is made.

i am going back to school to get a degree in criminal justice but i haven't got my books or even taken any training on anything i had to do so really that's not an infraction.

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    • An infraction may include being cited for a public disturbance due to intoxication.
      By: corepics
      An infraction may include being cited for a public disturbance due to intoxication.
    • Common infractions are petty offenses such as jaywalking.
      By: Chris Boswell
      Common infractions are petty offenses such as jaywalking.
    • Speeding might be deemed an infraction in places where such violations are common.
      By: Gary Blakeley
      Speeding might be deemed an infraction in places where such violations are common.
    • Some court jurisdictions allows certain misdemeanors to be reclassified as infractions.
      By: kanvag
      Some court jurisdictions allows certain misdemeanors to be reclassified as infractions.
    • It is very uncommon for conviction of an infraction to result in incarceration.
      By: kolotype
      It is very uncommon for conviction of an infraction to result in incarceration.
    • Trespassing is considered an infraction.
      By: Konstantin Sutyagin
      Trespassing is considered an infraction.