Final answer:
Misdemeanors are minor offenses punishable by fines or jail time of less than a year, and the term referring to such is option B. Misdemeanor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to minor offenses such as traffic violations, which are punishable by a fine or less than a year in jail, is B. Misdemeanor. Criminal law categorizes offenses as either felonies or misdemeanors based on their nature and severity, with felonies being the more serious crimes.
Misdemeanors represent less serious offenses and often result in lesser punishments such as fines or short-term incarceration, typically not exceeding one year. On the other hand, infractions and violations may refer to even lesser offenses that usually do not involve jail time and are punishable only by fines.