Possession of drug paraphernalia is classified as what offense?

• A. Misdemeanor (Class A)
• B. Felony
• C. Misdemeanor (Class B)
• D. Infraction

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that this offense is a criminal act handled at the highest misdemeanor level in the state’s system. Possessing drug paraphernalia is not an infraction, and it isn’t a felony, but it is punishable as a misdemeanor. Specifically, the statute places it as a Class A misdemeanor, which is the most serious tier of misdemeanor. This reflects an intermediate level of punishment—more than an infraction but not the harsher penalties that come with a felony. The other options don’t fit because an infraction would imply no jail time and only a minor penalty, and a felony would require a much more serious charge with heavier penalties. A lesser misdemeanor class would apply only if the statute expressly set it at that level, which is not the case here.