Section 1801. Penalties for misdemeanors.

 1. Every person convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter for which another penalty is not provided shall for a first conviction thereof be punished by a fine of not more than two hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days or by both such fine and imprisonment; for a conviction or a second violation, both of which were committed within a period of eighteen months, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than ninety days or by both such  fine and imprisonment; upon a conviction of a third or subsequent violation, all of which were committed within a period of eighteen months, such person shall be punished by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment for not more than one hundred eighty days or by both such fine and imprisonment, except that any fine imposed upon conviction of a violation of section twelve hundred twelve of this chapter shall be not less than one hundred dollars.
 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision one of this section, every operator or registered owner of a motor vehicle having a registered maximum gross weight of eighteen thousand pounds or more convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of the provisions of the closing paragraph of subdivision one of section three hundred seventy-five of this chapter with respect to the knowing disconnection of any set of  service brakes on such motor vehicle, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand five hundred dollars.