How long is a misdemeanor defined in terms of imprisonment?

A misdemeanor is typically defined as a criminal offense that is more serious than an infraction but less serious than a felony. The defining characteristic of a misdemeanor regarding imprisonment is that it usually involves a punishment that does not exceed one year. Specifically, many jurisdictions outline that misdemeanors can involve imprisonment for periods more than 15 days but less than a year, making this the standard for categorizing such offenses.

In contrast, options that suggest shorter time frames, such as less than 15 days, do not accurately reflect the general legal definitions, as they would not encompass the broader range of potential sentences associated with misdemeanor classifications. Similarly, specifying time frames of more than one year is characteristic of felonies, which carry more severe penalties. Thus, the option indicating that a misdemeanor can involve imprisonment of more than 15 days but less than a year accurately captures the legal context for this classification of crime.