A Class C Misdemeanor carries the maximum punishment of:

• A. Six months in jail and a $500 fine
• B. Thirty days and a $50 fine
• C. One year in jail and a $1,000 fine
• D. Fines only, no jail time

Answer: (B)

Class C misdemeanors are the least serious level of misdemeanor in Tennessee, with penalties limited by statute. The law sets the ceiling at up to 30 days in jail and up to a $50 fine. That combination—the possibility of jail time paired with a monetary penalty within those exact limits—is what defines the maximum punishment for this class. The description that states thirty days and a $50 fine matches these statutory caps, so it reflects the upper bound of what could be imposed for a Class C misdemeanor. The other options propose penalties beyond these limits, which isn’t allowed for Class C offenses. In practice, many Class C cases end with fines only, but the maximums show the highest possible penalty under this class.