Which statement best describes a civil infraction?

• A. A non-criminal violation with no jail time
• B. A serious crime punishable by imprisonment
• C. Requires a jury trial
• D. Always results in a felony

Answer: (A)

A civil infraction is a non-criminal violation that carries no jail time. This means it’s treated as a civil matter, not a criminal one, and the typical penalty is a fine or other non-prison sanctions rather than imprisonment. Examples include common traffic tickets or building code violations. Because it isn’t a criminal offense, it isn’t described by imprisonment or felony status, and while some civil matters can involve a hearing, they are generally not handled the same way as serious criminal cases that can require a jury trial.