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Home » Consumer Information » Crime

Infraction

An Infraction is a very minor crime, which is also known as a Petty Offense. It is less serious than a Misdemeanor and will usually result in a small.

Minor Violations

Although Infractions are thought of as criminal acts, because they involve a violation of a statutory law, they are minor enough that the person who commits the offense is not thought of as a criminal. Most crimes are thought to be a moral injustice that goes against the standards and values of society, but Infractions to not fit within this definition. There are a few common examples of Infractions.

Littering

Anytime a person puts an item that would be thought of as waste of garbage in any place other than a proper receptacle, they are guilty of Littering. This includes any instance of dropping trash on the ground, throwing an empty cup out of a car window, leaving the remains of a meal on an outdoor table instead of depositing it in a nearby trash can or letting any unwanted object fall to the ground and leaving it there.

There are three recognized types of Litter: Hazardous, Non-Hazardous and Recyclable Materials. The charges and penalties for Littering with materials that are known to be Hazardous are likely to be far more serious than for Non Hazardous items.

Traffic Violations

There are several traffic and parking related violations that would be listed as Infractions. Some of these include:

  • Parking any vehicle in an unauthorized area such as a red zone, handicap parking spot (without the proper authority to do so) or in front of a fire hydrant.
  • Leaving a vehicle on the sidewalk.
  • Parking a car on the street facing the wrong direction, which may give the appearance of a One Way street.
  • Not paying for a parking meter.
  • Parking a car directly beside another car in an area that is not designated for parking. This is generally referred to as Double Parking and is only legal within a defined parking lot or garage.
  • Keeping a parked car in an area that is blocked off for street cleaning.

Jaywalking

Jaywalking is crossing a street on foot in an area where it is not allowable to do so. Most every street has a specific area that is designated for foot traffic, and crossing anywhere else is a Jaywalking Infraction.

In some states, minor Misdemeanors may be downgraded to an Infraction, such as trespassing and marijuana possession. Any of these Infractions may result in a ticket and a fine. However, a person who is guilty of several Infractions may be eligible for heftier forms of punishment if they are found to be committing the same violation repeatedly.