Opinion ID: 2189786
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Heading: The Penal Code

Text: The purpose of the Penal Code is to define crimes and prescribe the penalties therefor. Preamble, MCL 750.1 et seq.; MSA 28.191 et seq. The Penal Code includes its own definitional provisions. Crimes are divided into felonies and misdemeanors, MCL 750.6; MSA 28.196. A felony is an offense for which the offender, on conviction may be punished by death, or by imprisonment in state prison. MCL 750.7; MSA 28.197. A misdemeanor is an act or omission that is not a felony, which is punishable by fine, penalty, forfeiture, or imprisonment, MCL 750.8; MSA 28.198, or an act prohibited by a statute which imposes no penalty for the violation, MCL 750.9; MSA 28.199. In some instances, the same provision of the Penal Code labels a crime a felony or misdemeanor and also sets the maximum penalty. See, e.g., MCL 750.75; MSA 28.270 and MCL 750.81a; MSA 28.276(1). In other instances, one provision labels the crime, and another supplies the penalty. A person convicted of a misdemeanor for which the penalty is not specifically designated is punishable by a maximum of ninety days in the county jail or a $100 fine, or both. MCL 750.504; MSA 28.772. A person convicted of a felony for which the penalty is not specifically designated is punishable by a maximum of four years in state prison or a $2,000 fine, or both. MCL 750.503; MSA 28.771. The defendants in the cases at bar have all been convicted of offenses which are labeled misdemeanors and which are punishable by a maximum of two years imprisonment under the Penal Code. MCL 750.414; MSA 28.646, MCL 750.479; MSA 28.747, MCL 750.74; MSA 28.269, MCL 750.92; MSA 28.287. These offenses have been referred to as two-year, circuit court, or high misdemeanors.