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 West Virginia (WV), as in other states, criminal offenses are categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on their severity. Felonies are considered more serious crimes and typically carry potential prison sentences of more than one year. On the other hand, misdemeanors are less serious offenses and are usually punishable by a maximum of one year in jail or less. The distinction between felonies and misdemeanors is determined by the West Virginia state legislature, which enacts laws defining the classification and punishment of state-level offenses. For federal offenses, the United States Congress is responsible for setting the penalties and categorizing crimes as either felonies or misdemeanaries. The classification affects not only the potential sentence but also other legal consequences that may follow a conviction, such as loss of certain civil rights for felonies.