Legal Definitions - petty offense

A petty offense is a minor crime or violation of the law. It is a less serious offense than a felony or misdemeanor. Petty offenses are usually punished with a fine or a short jail sentence.

• Speeding
• Jaywalking
• Loitering
• Disorderly conduct

These examples illustrate petty offenses because they are minor violations of the law that are usually punished with a fine or a short jail sentence. They are not serious crimes like murder or robbery.

Petty sessions were a type of court in English law that were held to try minor misdemeanors summarily (i.e., without a jury). They were presided over by a justice of the peace and were used to deal with minor offenses quickly and efficiently.