Which of the following is characterized as a misdemeanor?

A misdemeanor is defined as a less serious offense, typically punishable by less than one year of imprisonment. This classification of crime is important for understanding the legal system, as misdemeanors are generally considered less severe than felonies, which are punishable by one year or more in prison. Misdemeanors can encompass a variety of offenses, such as petty theft, simple assault, or public intoxication.

The context provided by the other options highlights distinctions between different categories of offenses. The second choice refers to offenses that are more serious and result in penalties that include prison terms of one year or longer, which aligns with the definition of felonies rather than misdemeanors. The third choice mentions infractions, which are minor violations often not subject to jail time, such as traffic violations, making them distinct from misdemeanors. The fourth option describes severe crimes that result in significant harm, reinforcing the idea that those offenses are classified as felonies due to their seriousness and potential impact on victims. Thus, the clear definition of a misdemeanor as an offense punishable by less than one year makes the first choice the correct selection.