What is the difference between a summary offense and an indictable offense?

In Massachusetts, there are two types of criminal offenses: summary offenses and indictable offenses. Summary offenses are less serious offenses that do not require a trial by jury. These types of offenses often include minor traffic violations, trespassing, and shoplifting. Judges usually determine summary offenses and judges can impose fines for these offenses. Indictable offenses, on the other hand, are more serious and require a trial by jury. These crimes include violent offenses such as armed robbery and murder, as well as drug trafficking and other serious crimes. These offenses usually carry more severe punishments such as jail time or even life in prison. The main difference between summary offenses and indictable offenses is the severity of the crime and the severity of the possible punishment. Summary offenses are generally not as serious as indictable offenses. Also, summary offenses are not tried by a jury, while indictable offenses must be tried by a jury. This is because the possible punishment for an indictable offense is much more severe than the possible punishment for a summary offense.

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What is the difference between a summary offense and an indictable offense?

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