Which describes serious misdemeanor offenses as specified in F.A.C.?

• A. Misdemeanors that are minor and carry no disciplinary action.
• B. Misdemeanors that only lead to criminal prosecution.
• C. Misdemeanors that automatically become felonies.
• D. Misdemeanors that can lead to disciplinary action regardless of criminal prosecution.

Answer: (D)

Serious misdemeanor offenses in the Florida Administrative Code are rule violations that can trigger internal disciplinary action within the facility even if no criminal charges are filed. This means staff can impose sanctions—such as loss of privileges, time in disciplinary segregation, or other penalties—based on the facility’s rules and evidence gathered during administrative procedures, independent of the criminal justice process. This separation ensures the institution maintains safety and order by addressing behavior that disrupts operations regardless of court outcomes. The other ideas would imply no disciplinary action, or reliance solely on criminal prosecution, or that these offenses automatically become felonies, which isn’t how these codes function.