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There is a legal distinction between 'civil' and 'criminal' law. To oversimplify things, 'criminal' laws are ones that reflect some sort of moral code (e.g. law

There is a legal distinction between 'civil' and 'criminal' law. To oversimplify things, 'criminal' laws are ones that reflect some sort of moral code (e.g. laws against murder and manslaughter), and 'civil' laws are ones that are simply rules (e.g. speed limits, jaywalking). Civil cases can't be punished with jail time or anything like that.

bmelton 15y ago
I don't know that I'm yet convinced that speeding is a civil offense. Can you give me an example of a civil offense that I would get a ticket for? I have always thought of civil laws as those that corporations need to abide. Perhaps I'm wrong? As for speed limits and jaywalking specifically, you appear to be right that they aren't criminal offenses until a threshold has been crossed (e.g., speeding 15 over the limit). But those seem to be considered 'infractions', and I admittedly don't know where the lines are.
- dripton 15y ago
  In the US we have three kinds of charges: felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Felonies are major criminal offenses. Misdemeanors are minor criminal offenses. Infractions are oopsies. Most traffic charges are treated as infractions, even when they lead to levels of damage or injury that would ordinarily mean a misdemeanor or felony. Cars are somehow "special." If you want to get away with murder in the US, definitely use a car not a gun. (But don't be drunk. Drunk driving is no longer socially acceptable -- if you're drunk and kill someone with your car, that's serious jail time. If you're just a bad driver and kill someone with your car, that's an oopsie.)
  - ghurlman 15y ago
    What state do you live in where vehicular manslaughter isn't a felony charge? Rich and/or well-connected folks notwithstanding...
    - dripton 15y ago
      It's theoretically a felony charge in every state, but in practice, drivers who run over pedestrians or cyclists often get charged with traffic infractions or don't get charged at all.
ghurlman 15y ago
If you think a ticket can't be punished with jail time, try not paying one and then don't show up to court.
- mickt 15y ago
  Is the US unique in that you can go to jail for not paying a ticket for a minor traffic violation?
j_baker 15y ago
Civil cases are when the court is acting to resolve a dispute between two parties. If I sued you, it would be a civil case. Criminal cases are when a law is broken. Therefore, jaywalking is indeed a criminal offense, albeit a very minor one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_law_(common_law) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_law_(common_law) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law
- lazerwalker 15y ago
  I've learned something new today. Thanks!

bmelton 15y ago

I don't know that I'm yet convinced that speeding is a civil offense. Can you give me an example of a civil offense that I would get a ticket for? I have always thought of civil laws as those that corporations need to abide. Perhaps I'm wrong? As for speed limits and jaywalking specifically, you appear to be right that they aren't criminal offenses until a threshold has been crossed (e.g., speeding 15 over the limit). But those seem to be considered 'infractions', and I admittedly don't know where the lines are.

dripton 15y ago
In the US we have three kinds of charges: felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions. Felonies are major criminal offenses. Misdemeanors are minor criminal offenses. Infractions are oopsies. Most traffic charges are treated as infractions, even when they lead to levels of damage or injury that would ordinarily mean a misdemeanor or felony. Cars are somehow "special." If you want to get away with murder in the US, definitely use a car not a gun. (But don't be drunk. Drunk driving is no longer socially acceptable -- if you're drunk and kill someone with your car, that's serious jail time. If you're just a bad driver and kill someone with your car, that's an oopsie.)
- ghurlman 15y ago
  What state do you live in where vehicular manslaughter isn't a felony charge? Rich and/or well-connected folks notwithstanding...
  - dripton 15y ago
    It's theoretically a felony charge in every state, but in practice, drivers who run over pedestrians or cyclists often get charged with traffic infractions or don't get charged at all.

ghurlman 15y ago

If you think a ticket can't be punished with jail time, try not paying one and then don't show up to court.

mickt 15y ago
Is the US unique in that you can go to jail for not paying a ticket for a minor traffic violation?

j_baker 15y ago

Civil cases are when the court is acting to resolve a dispute between two parties. If I sued you, it would be a civil case. Criminal cases are when a law is broken. Therefore, jaywalking is indeed a criminal offense, albeit a very minor one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_law_(common_law) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_law_(common_law) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law

lazerwalker 15y ago
I've learned something new today. Thanks!