Misdemeanor charges are known as lesser crimes. But what if you are not aware that you are conducting a misdemeanor? Several such citizens get caught up in a whirlwind of laws they didn’t know existed in the first place. Misdemeanor examples differ across various states in the US. So if you are traveling for business or leisure, you must note the misdemeanor charges applicable in those states, especially if you plan to move to a different state or live for long periods.

How can you define felony?

A felony is a crime punishable by law for more than a year and has to serve penalties that are non-comparable to a misdemeanor. If you define a felony, you will need to consider it a case-by-case treatment in the court of the law. A judge or the jury decides about the crime and its severity. Any chance that the law cannot punish the defendant at par with the crime can have a veto called jury nullification. A felony is a serious crime that gets ruled out as a grand misdemeanor at times.

Some examples of misdemeanor that you were not aware off

• Transportation of water hyacinths

Under the plant, animal, bird, and fish transportation clause, water hyacinth transportation is not allowed. Well, it’s just a plant, but it is also commonly known as a water pest. The state of California spent $45 million over 15 years trying to curb the spread of this plant. It grows double the size in a week. It is known to cover the entire water body with its enormous leaves. What’s more important is that the hyacinth plant seeds can survive for up to 20 years. 

• Receipt of commissions or gifts for procuring loans

In simple terms, clause 18:215 Receipt of commissions or gifts for procuring loans states that if a person gets caught giving a, receiving, or planning to provide a financial gift or any other gift of value to benefit a person towards getting their loans approved is a crime. You cannot provide or receive such “gifts” to a bank employee, a person working in government, or any financial institution. It is treated as financial fraud and is punishable with hefty fines.

• Replicating badge or medal of veterans organizations

Under Title 18 ss 705, it is a crime to manufacture, reproduce, sell or purchase for resale any badge, medal emblem, or any other insignia or any colorable imitation thereof, of any veteran organization incorporated by the enactment of congress or any organization recognized by the veterans. This misdemeanor can cause you not only a fine but also imprisonment for up to six months. It is highly risky when such counterfeit badges and medals circulate in the market for criminals to take advantage of veteran schemes and policies awarded to them by the government.

• Hunting, trapping, or fishing on an Indian Land

You are not allowed to use land provided by the government reserved for the Indians by law. Under Title 18 ss 1165, no person is allowed to fish, hunt or trap an animal on the land reserved for the Indias unless they have the permission and license to do so. If any person or a group of people get caught in such a crime, there will be fines or imprisonment, or even both. Any catch found by the government officials will get fortified.

• False weather reports

Under Title 18 ss 2074, if any person or organization reports false or counterfeit weather conditions, it becomes a punishable offense. The penalty can range from $500 and upwards and also a jail sentence not exceeding 90 days. Or sometimes even both. You can define felony charges for a crime like this. 

• Boarding vessels before their arrival

If a vessel or a ship is about to arrive at the port, it is illegal to board the ship until and unless it reaches the port and only through a proper procedure. Under Title 18 ss 2279, it is a punishable crime as there can be a possibility of smuggling goods, drugs, and illegal immigrants into the country through the port. These are misdemeanor examples but can be treated as a felony if a severe crime is underway while boarding the vessel illegally.

• Violation of packed apples in Barrels; sale of a barrel

The apples from the United States are known to be one of the best worldwide. Therefore the government takes extra precaution when it comes to packaging and transportation of the apple barrels. If anyone is involved in misleading labels such as wrongful design depiction, picture of the fruit, and standard of the fruit, the apple will get punished under the title 15 ss 233. The penalty includes $1 for each barrel transported or packed or offered for sale. 

Summary 

You may define felony as a serious crime, but the attorney can even deem it as a grand misdemeanor charge when it comes to proving the same in court. There are several such misdemeanor examples that one can read online and be aware of at all times. What if someday you are charged with a misdemeanor that you didn’t know existed. Therefore always consult an attorney when you find yourself accused of a misdemeanor. When you move interstate or even travel for business and leisure, one must make it a point to know that they are not committing a crime unknowingly.