But the consequences of even lesser violations can be serious: convictions may be reversed, even some that may be supported by the evidence.
Mr. Bratton instituted computer tracking of crimes to deploy police where they were needed, and began a "quality of life" crackdown on lesser violations.
They are awaiting trial on charges that include murder, torture and lesser violations of human rights.
But the District Attorney allowed others who had run onto the field the same night to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, a lesser violation, and to receive a sentence of seven days' community service.
Many of them are troubled teenagers accused of crimes, and a few hundred have to be locked up while awaiting trial or sentencing for serious offenses, or to serve time for lesser violations, like truancy or vandalism.
In the past, municipalities received the fine money from motorists who pleaded tickets down to lesser violations.
Mr. Galab pleaded guilty yesterday to lesser violations under a different law.
When a probation violation is extremely severe, or after multiple lesser violations, a probation revocation hearing could be scheduled.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser violation of his visa status, and was deported and barred from entering the U.S. for five years.
This family, as mentioned, is the former royal house of Savoy in Italy and lesser violations are also being committed against the royal houses of Austria and Greece by their governments.