Which of the following best describes an infraction?

An infraction is best described as a minor violation usually punishable by a fine. This type of violation is typically less severe than a misdemeanor or felony and does not usually carry the possibility of jail time. Infractions often relate to minor offenses like traffic violations, littering, or noise complaints, where the primary consequence is a financial penalty rather than criminal repercussions.

In contrast, serious criminal offenses involve more severe actions that could lead to imprisonment, making them much different than infractions. Civil disobedience refers to the active, professed refusal to obey certain laws or demands of a government, often as a form of protest, which does not align with the definition of an infraction. Lastly, a federal tax offense is typically categorized under more serious violations of tax law that can include felonies or misdemeanors, again differing significantly from the minor nature of infractions. Thus, the defining characteristic of an infraction is its minimal severity and the typical punishment of a fine, making option B the correct description.