The more serious crimes are classified as misdemeanors or felonies. For example, the Texas Penal Code , after defining the conduct which constitutes each offense, will identify the offences as felonies or misdemeanors. Examples of misdemeanors include resisting arrest, simple battery, public drunkenness, using profanity in a public place, obstructing a highway or a false fire alarm. A sentence of life imprisonment is mandatory on conviction of the capital felony. The long list of felonies include, as examples, murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, assault, burglary, arson or motor vehicle theft.
Some offences can be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on degree.
The police must give the suspect the Miranda warning upon arrest. Lawyers recommend that you talk to a lawyer before you talk to the police. In the criminal justice system, the police have a surprising amount of discretion. Once you've been arrested, the police can search you. Even if in actual fact, you have not committed a crime, if the police reasonably suspect that you are committing one, they are allowed to stop you and frisk for weapons.