Criminal law is the area of law concerned with violation of the laws enacted by the local, state or the federal government to protect its citizens from injury to themselves or their property. Persons suspected of committing crimes are arrested by police officers and are prosecuted in the name of the local government, by the state or by the United States. The criminal case in court is prosecuted by appointed or elected prosecuting attorneys.
Felonies are serious crimes such as murder, rape, arson, theft of highly valued property.
Felonies are generally punishable by large fines and by more than one year of incarceration in state or federal penitentiaries . Misdemeanors are lower level crimes such as assault or traffic crimes. Misdemeanors are generally punishable with money fines, probation or incarceration for less than one year in local or county jails . There are many variations among crimes and procedures and anyone charged with a crime should contact a qualified attorney immediately. This is a simplified general statement of procedure.