Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A penitentiary misdemeanor is a type of crime that is less serious than a felony but still carries a more severe penalty than most other misdemeanors. It can result in confinement in a place other than prison, such as a county jail, for a brief term. In some jurisdictions, conduct that rises to the level of a serious misdemeanor can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor.
A penitentiary misdemeanor is a type of serious misdemeanor that can result in confinement in a penitentiary or prison. It is a crime that is less serious than a felony but more severe than most other misdemeanors.
For example, if someone is convicted of a penitentiary misdemeanor such as assault with a deadly weapon, they may be sentenced to serve time in a penitentiary rather than a county jail.
This type of misdemeanor is also known as an aggravated misdemeanor, indictable misdemeanor, or high misdemeanor. Conduct that rises to the level of a penitentiary misdemeanor can sometimes be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor.
Overall, a penitentiary misdemeanor is a serious offense that can result in significant consequences for the offender.