Traffic & Misdemeanor

The Traffic and Misdemeanor Division reviews all traffic infractions and misdemeanor complaints and files infraction and misdemeanor cases for all of St. Joseph County. This division works closely with all of the police agencies in St. Joseph County, including all of the towns and cities.

Traffic Infractions

Traffic Infractions are violations of traffic laws for which there is a penalty of a fine and/or court costs, but no incarceration.

Misdemeanor Cases

Misdemeanor Cases are any crime for which the penalty is one year or less incarceration in the County Jail.

Sentences

Typical cases for the Traffic and Misdemeanor Division include, but are not limited to, conversion, battery, disorderly conduct, and false informing. The sentences for the four classes of infractions and three classes of misdemeanors are as follows:
Infraction Class
 		 Sentence
Class A Infraction Up to $10,000 fine
Class B Infraction Up to $1,000 fine
Class C Infraction Up to $500 fine
Class D Infraction Up to $25 fine

Misdemeanor Class
 		Sentence
Class A Misdemeanor Punishable by a sentence of up to one year in County Jail, and a fine of up to $5,000 fine
Class B Misdemeanor Punishable by a sentence of up to 180 days in County Jail, and up to $1,000 fine
Class C Misdemeanor Punishable by a sentence of up to 60 days in County Jail, and up to $500 fine

2020 Case History

During 2020, 10,685 Traffic and Misdemeanor cases were filed:
  • Misdemeanors: 4,261 cases
  • Infractions: 6,424 cases

Forms

  1. Retail Loss Form (PDF)