infraction

/ɪnˈfrækʃən/

/ɪnˈfrækʃən/

Other forms: infractions

When you break school rules about gum chewing, you commit an infraction. An infraction is a petty crime or a minor breaking of rules.

When you think of the word infraction, think that your offence has just crossed the line into wrong. Something like a parking ticket is an infraction. When you commit an infraction, you're not knee deep in wrong, you've just dipped your toe into wrong to see what it feels like. A misdemeanor is a more serious crime such as theft, and murder is considered a felony, the most serious of crimes.

Definitions of infraction

1. noun

   a crime less serious than a felony
   synonyms: infringement, misdemeanor, misdemeanour, violation

   types:

   breach of the peace, disorderly behavior, disorderly conduct, disturbance of the peace

   any act of molesting, interrupting, hindering, agitating, or arousing from a state of repose or otherwise depriving inhabitants of the peace and quiet to which they are entitled

   false pretence, false pretense

   (law) an offense involving intent to defraud and false representation and obtaining property as a result of that misrepresentation

   indecent exposure, public nudity

   vulgar and offensive nakedness in a public place

   bearing false witness, lying under oath, perjury

   criminal offense of making false statements under oath

   sedition

   an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government

   type of:

   crime, criminal offence, criminal offense, law-breaking, offence, offense

   (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act