Misd.

Law & Legal abbreviation · Criminal Law

Misd.
Stands forMisdemeanor
CategoriesLaw & Legal

Misd. stands for Misdemeanor, a criminal law abbreviation.

Abbreviation for a criminal offense less serious than a felony, generally punishable by fines, probation or up to a year in a local jail. Dockets, criminal history reports and charging documents often pair it with a class designation, such as "Misd. A".

Example: Charge reduced from felony theft to Misd. B theft after restitution was paid.

Usage notes

Many states divide misdemeanors into classes or degrees, such as Class A, B and C in Texas or first and second degree in Florida. Below misdemeanors, some states have violations or infractions punishable only by fines. Even a misdemeanor conviction can affect immigration status, employment and, for domestic violence offenses, gun rights.

More criminal law abbreviations

  • GBMI – Guilty but mentally ill
  • GCT – Good conduct time
  • GJ – Grand jury
  • IAC – Ineffective assistance of counsel
  • IST – Incompetent to stand trial
  • LWOP – Life without parole
  • MPC – Model Penal Code
  • NCO – No-contact order
  • NGRI – Not guilty by reason of insanity
  • NPA – Non-prosecution agreement
  • PBJ – Probation before judgment
  • PC – Probable cause

See all 46 criminal law abbreviations →

This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.