Which term describes a crime that typically results in up to one year of incarceration?

A misdemeanor is defined as a criminal offense that typically carries a penalty of up to one year of incarceration. This classification distinguishes it from felonies, which generally involve more serious crimes and can result in longer prison sentences, often exceeding one year. Infractions are lower-level offenses, usually punishable by fines rather than incarceration. An indictment, on the other hand, is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, not a classification of the crime itself. Thus, the classification of misdemeanor accurately reflects the nature of crimes that result in shorter sentences, typically involving minor offenses that do not pose a significant threat to public safety.