What is a third-degree misdemeanor in Ohio?

In Ohio, the jail range for a misdemeanor of the third degree (M3) is up to 60 days, and the fine is up to $500.

What is a third-degree misdemeanor in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the jail range for a misdemeanor of the third degree (M3) is up to 1 year, and the fine is up to $2,500. A crime declared a misdemeanor without a degree is an M3.

Same name, different sentence

What is a third-degree misdemeanor?

A third-degree misdemeanor is one of the grades states use to rank misdemeanors by how serious they are. 2 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.

Third-degree misdemeanor sentences by state
State	Jail	Fine	The law
Ohio	Up to 60 days	Up to $500	Ohio Rev. Code §§ 2929.24(A)(3), 2929.28(A)(2)(a)(iii)¹
Pennsylvania	Up to 1 yearA crime declared a misdemeanor without a degree is an M3.	Up to $2,500	18 Pa.C.S. §§ 1104(3), 1101(6)²

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 third-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.