Criminal offenses under state law range from less serious misdemeanor offenses to more severe felony crimes. The state legislature has categorized crimes not only as misdemeanors or felonies but also has further classified them based on severity. Sentencing and penalties exist for each level of a criminal offense and are adjusted by any mitigating or aggravating factors present in the commission of the crime.
More generally, crimes fall into a few major categories. These categories include: crimes against property, such as fraud, theft, arson, and vandalism; crimes of violence, such as assault, robbery, and murder; sexual crimes, including rape and child molestation; offenses involving alcohol and drugs.