Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What type of violation can be classified as either a misdemeanor or felony?

1. Traffic

2. Civil

3. Criminal

4. Regulatory

The correct answer is: Criminal

The classification of violations as either a misdemeanor or felony is specifically associated with criminal violations. In legal terms, crimes are categorized into two main classes: misdemeanors, which are generally less severe infractions with lighter penalties, and felonies, which are more serious offenses with harsher penalties, including imprisonment for over a year. Thus, criminal violations encompass a wide range of offenses that can result in significant legal consequences, depending on the nature and severity of the act. Traffic, civil, and regulatory violations typically do not share this dual classification. Traffic violations often include minor infractions that are usually misdemeanors, but serious traffic offenses could be classified as felonies based on specific circumstances rather than fitting neatly into the broader category. Civil violations pertain to breaches of civil law rather than criminal law, focusing on compensation and remedies rather than punishment. Regulatory violations generally relate to the breach of administrative rules or regulations without becoming a criminal offense unless specified by law. Therefore, criminal is the correct classification that encompasses violations that can vary in severity from misdemeanors to felonies.