In some states, a court can dismiss a misdemeanor charge if the defendant settles (pays money) to the victim of the crime. This is called a civil compromise of a criminal action.
A criminal record, sometimes called a rap sheet, is a collection of a person's criminal convictions and arrests. The information in the record varies from state to state and even from county to county.
In Massachusetts, laws against disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace criminalize fighting, being noisy and annoying in public, and other behavior that is likely to alarm, upset, or provoke others.
In Wisconsin, the crime of battery will be punished as a felony when it causes substantial or great bodily harm or is committed by or against certain people.
Children who are witnesses to or victims of crimes may be ordered to testify in criminal cases. Generally, judges decide on a case-by-case basis whether a child is competent (qualified) to testify.
In California, both pimping and pandering are crimes. Laws against pimping and pandering are generally aimed at third parties who benefit from the sale of sex, although they may also apply to “johns” and prostitutes.