Criminal offenses under state and federal laws are generally categorized by the seriousness of the crime as felonies (more serious) or misdemeanors (less serious). Felonies are offenses that generally may result in prison sentences of more than one year, and misdemeanors carry sentences of one year or less. The United States Congress sets the penalties for all federal criminal offenses, and thus decides which criminal offenses are felonies and which are misdemeanors. And the state legislature in each state decides which criminal offenses are felonies and which are misdemeanors under state law.
In Maine, as in other states, criminal offenses are categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on their severity. Felonies are the more serious crimes, potentially leading to prison sentences of more than one year, while misdemeanors are less serious, with sentences of one year or less. The classification of crimes and the corresponding penalties at the federal level are determined by the United States Congress. Similarly, the Maine State Legislature is responsible for defining which offenses constitute felonies and misdemeanors under state law. The Maine Criminal Code outlines the specific offenses and their classifications, as well as the penalties that may be imposed for each type of crime.