What defines an infraction?

An infraction is characterized as a non-criminal violation of law that is not punishable by imprisonment. This definition is crucial as it distinguishes infractions from more serious offenses classified as misdemeanors or felonies, which can lead to criminal penalties including jail time. Infractions typically involve regulations or laws that are broken but do not pose a direct threat to public safety in the same way that more serious crimes do.

In North Carolina, many traffic violations are considered infractions, such as speeding or running a stop sign. The penalties for these infractions usually involve fines or other non-custodial sanctions rather than imprisonment, reinforcing the idea that they do not constitute criminal behavior in a traditional sense. Understanding this distinction is important for law enforcement and legal professionals, as it determines the appropriate legal response and penalties associated with various violations.