how are criminal offences classified
In the United States there are three basic classifications of criminal offenses-felonies, misdemeanors and infractions. They are distinguished from each other by the seriousness of the offense and the amount of punishment for which someone convicted of the crime can receive. Criminal offenses are further classified as property crimes or personal crimes. Elected officials on the federal, state and local level pass laws that establish which behavior constitutes a crime and what the punishment will be for someone who is found guilty of those crimes.