How is an infraction different from a felony?

An infraction is classified as a minor violation of the law, typically resulting in less severe consequences than other types of offenses. The key characteristic of an infraction is that it generally leads to a punishment in the form of a fine rather than incarceration. For example, common infractions can include petty offenses like traffic violations or littering. In contrast, felonies are serious crimes that can lead to significant imprisonment and more severe legal repercussions.

Understanding the distinction between these two categories is crucial in law enforcement and legal contexts. Infractions do not carry the same potential for severe legal consequences as felonies do, making option C the accurate identification of how infractions are specifically defined and treated in the legal system. The other options either mischaracterize the nature of infractions or fail to reflect the legal framework accurately.