to be less serious than a crime. Since 1941, Brazilian Law has a dual system which separates penal infractions in two main different acts. They are the Código Penal (Brazilian Penal Code) — describing crimes in general — and the Lei de Contravenções Penais (Penal Contraventions Act) — describing the contraventions. Contraventions are punished less severely than crimes in Brazilian Law. While crimes may be punished to reclusão (reclusion) or detenção (detention), the only kind of possible imprisonment for contraventions is prisão simples (simple prison), which is never served under closed conditions (only open and semi-closed conditions may be applied). Fines may also be imposed due to contravention sentencing. In Brazilian Law System, one who is already convicted for a crime is not considered to be recidivist when committing a contravention for the first time, and vice versa. See also Comminatory Infraction Regulatory offences Police Tribunal (France) Civil law legal terminology