significant number of cases handled by the system, which often includes misdemeanors and traffic violations. 
This layer may also get comprised of first-time offenders of less severe crimes. 
2 Misdemeanors are the 
least dangerous types of crimes which can include, depending on where location, public intoxication, 
prostitution, graffiti, among others. Imagine getting caught tagging a park wall and never being caught for 
a crime before, which is where this crime would fall. These are often the crimes most of us have committed, 
but also most of us may not have been caught or punished. A misdemeanor may result in a monetary fine, 
rather than jail time. 
Bottom-Layer Example (The Largest Portion) Dr. Sanchez 
If a person were speeding five over on the interstate, it is unlikely they would get pulled over, or spend time in 
court. They are likely to pay the fine which admits guilt. However, if they cannot afford the fine, it would require 
them to go to jail, which brings in a whole host of other issues. The bottom layer of the cake often does not require 
a person to go to trial because most people with minor crimes are given and accept plea bargains. If one were to go 
to jail for a misdemeanor, it is typically for less than one year. 
When we previously talked about crime control resembling an assembly line, this tier would be an 
example of that: people get cited for everyday violations, people pay their fines rather than go to court, 
by paying fines they admit guilt, and their interaction with the system will end. These crimes are the 
ones that are seen as so common newspapers will rarely report on them. How often would you like to 
read about someone getting cited for speeding ten mph over? Or being arrested for small possession of 
marijuana? Although most of these are common marijuana arrests have increased alongside legalization in the 
U.S. they are annoying to read about from https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/09/24/marijuana-
arrests-are-increasing-despite-legalization-new-fbi-data-shows/#43134be64c4b 
The second tier, or next layer, is comprised of lower-level felonies that may be violent or non-violent. 
Again, many of these cases end in a plea bargain and do not end in significant jail or prison time. 
3 However, 
they consume a significant amount of the courts’ time. For example, Oregon has three different levels or 
classes of felonies. Class A is the most serious and can result in up to 20-years imprisonment, Class B can 
result in up to 10 years imprisonment, and Class C is the least serious with up to five years. 
4 The second tier 
would be comprised mostly of Class C felonies. 
The third tier is comprised primarily of what most of us know as serious felonies that tend to be violent 
and involve offenders with significant criminal histories. In this tier’s cases are more likely to go to trial if the 
offender pleads not guilty, and if found guilty, will result in prison time. As stated in the Oregon example, 
this would most likely be Class B Felonies and maybe some Class A felonies. 
Lastly, the top tier often referred to as celebrated cases, would be the smallest part of the cake and would 
be made up of the high-profile cases that tend to be profiled by the media. If found guilty, offenders could 
receive significant punishments which may include life imprisonment or the death penalty. The top tier 
is less common than the others, but it also the crime we like to think of as really bad. It is also the cases 
that garner a lot of news time, and perhaps it is a case that made it to the United States Supreme Court. 
2. Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs: A policy guide (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson 
3. Walker, S. (2006). Sense and nonsense about crime and drugs: A policy guide (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson 
4. https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/criminal-defense/felony-offense/oregon-felony-class.htm 
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