High misdemeanor
"High misdemeanor" is an archaic term in English law for a number of positive misprisions, neglects and contempts. Despite being considered serious offences they were subject to the criminal procedure applicable to other misdemeanors, rather than those for felony or treason. The most important example may be that of maladministration in high office.
Examples in English law
A number of United Kingdom statutes refer to particular crimes as being high misdemeanors:- Discharging or aiming firearms, or throwing or using any offensive matter or weapon, with intent to injure or alarm the Sovereign
- Where a Roman Catholic advises the Crown on the appointment to offices of the Established Church
- Where a Jew advises the Crown on the appointment to offices of the Churches of England, Ireland and Scotland
- treasonable words
- receiving stolen goods
- prison break
- maladministration of high office
- firing of one's house in a town
- The conviction of a returning officer for corrupt practices during an election to the Parliament of Ireland