Misdemeanor
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
Incriminal law
A general name for criminal offenses of every sort, punishable by indictment or special proceedings, which do not in luw amount to the grade of felony, A misdemeanor is an act committed or omitted in violation of a public law either forbidding or commanding it. This general definition, however, comprehends both “crimes” and “misdemeanors,” which, properly speaking, are mere synonymous terms; though, in common usage, the word “crimes” is made to denote such offenses as are of adeeper and mre atrocious dye; while smaller faults and omissions of Jess consequence are comprised under the milder term of “misdemeanors” only. In the English law, “misdemeanor” is generally usedin contradistinction to“felony; "and misdemeanors comprehend all indictable offenses which do not amount to felony, as libels, conspir acies, attempts, and solicitations to commit felonies, etc.
Brown.