a crime less serious than a felony
"The judge sentenced him to community service for his misdemeanor of reckless driving."
A crime usually punishable upon conviction by a small fine or by a short term of imprisonment. In the USA, misdemeanants usually are incarcerated in county jail for less than one year, but felons usually are incarcerated in state or federal prison for more than one year. Crimes which are punishable by large fines or by longer imprisonment are sometimes called felonies.
"After pleading guilty to the misdemeanor of petty theft, he was sentenced to thirty days in county jail rather than facing years behind bars."