What are the two main categories of crimes under the Penal Code?

The two main categories of crimes under the Penal Code are felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are serious offenses that typically carry harsher penalties, including imprisonment for more than a year, hefty fines, or both. These types of crimes include murder, robbery, and serious drug offenses, and a felony conviction often results in significant long-term consequences, such as loss of voting rights or difficulty finding employment.

Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are less severe than felonies and usually result in less severe penalties, typically imprisonment for less than a year or fines. Common examples of misdemeanors include petty theft, minor assault, and driving under the influence (DUI). Understanding the distinction between these two categories is crucial for determining the legal consequences for individuals who commit different types of offenses.

Other options present different categories, but they do not represent the two primary classifications under the Penal Code. Violent crimes and property crimes refer to types of offenses rather than categories of crime. Similarly, civil offenses are not classified as crimes in the Penal Code, and infractions are typically minor violations that fall below misdemeanors.