Same name, different sentence
What is a second-degree misdemeanor?
A second-degree misdemeanor is one of the grades states use to rank misdemeanors by how serious they are. 3 states use the name, and each sets its own jail range and fine for it. Here is each one, from the state's own law.
Last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
| State | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Up to 60 days | Up to $500 | Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082(4)(b), 775.083(1)(e)1 |
| Ohio | Up to 90 days | Up to $750 | Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2929.24(A)(2), 2929.28(A)(2)(a)(ii)2 |
| Pennsylvania | Up to 2 yearsA law that makes something a crime without calling it a felony or a misdemeanor creates an M2, unless its maximum sentence makes it a felony. | Up to $5,000 | 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 1104(2), 1101(5), 106(d)3 |
Why the same name means different things
Each state writes its own criminal code. The letters, numbers and degrees only rank crimes within that state, so a second-degree misdemeanor in one state can carry a very different sentence from one next door. A specific crime can also set its own range, and past convictions can raise it. For how a state grades a particular crime, see Is it a felony?
Other misdemeanor grades
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.