Criminal charges are classified in New Jersey as either a disorderly persons offense (known as a misdemeanor in other states) or an indictable offense (felony). There are several levels of each type of offense. Higher-order felony charges are reserved for more serious crimes, so a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense will carry lower charges and/or penalties than a felony. The same applies to felonies which are altogether more serious types of crime. For instance, some disorderly persons offenses carry sentences of between zero days and one year in jail and fines of up to a thousand dollars. Felony offenses on the other hand come with much harsher penalties, usually between six months and life in prison, and thousands of dollars in fines.