When an individual is found guilty of a crime, the consequences depend on how it is classified according to state and federal laws. There are three general classifications for criminal offenses used in the United States – infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies. Here’s an overview of what each classification means, what type of penalties or sentencing to expect, and common examples.

Infractions are criminal offenses that are mild enough not to warrant jail time. In most cases, the punishment involves paying a fine. Also known as petty offenses, this type of crime doesn’t require court attendance and there’s no trial to determine guilt or innocence.

Misdemeanors are more serious than infractions, but they aren’t considered as severe as felony crimes. A defendant who’s convicted of a misdemeanor can be sentenced to up to one year in county jail.

Federal law defines a felony as an offense that can carry a punishment of over 12 months in prison without parole. This can range from one year to a life sentence.

Some states use a fourth classification known as felony-misdemeanors. These are crimes that can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or a felony, which means they can be punishable by up to one year, or by 12 months or more.