Misdemeanor Fines:
Misdemeanors and felonies differ only in terms of their consequences and lasting effects. A misdemeanor, for example, can involve time in jail, while a felony usually requires that a sentence of one year or more be served in prison. These consequences are in addition to fines that are proportionate to the level and severity of the crime. Aside from court or local municipality fines, the court could also assess restitution for any damages that incurred as a result of an accident.
A fine is a criminal sanction. A civil sanction, by contrast, is called a penalty. The term fine is sometimes used to describe a penalty, but the terms fine and penalty should be kept separate because the consequences are different: nonpayment of a criminal fine can result in incarceration, whereas nonpayment of a civil penalty cannot.
In some instances, if the victim of the drunken driving offense agrees to settle their damages directly with the offender, a civil compromise can be reached. This would require that the offender pay the victim in exchange for a reduced sentence or no sentence at all.
Federal courts must sometimes follow prison sentences mandated by federal statute, but the decision of whether to impose a fine in addition to any sentence is generally within the judge's discretion. Both state and federal courts may later reduce the amount of a fine. The statutory repayment period of a fine may be extended upon request of the court, and payments may be allowed in installments.
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