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 Mississippi (MS), criminal offenses are indeed categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on their severity, aligning with the general practice across the United States. Felonies in Mississippi are serious crimes that can result in imprisonment for more than one year, and in some cases, may lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty, depending on the nature of the crime. Misdemeanors in Mississippi are less serious offenses and typically carry penalties of fines, short-term county jail sentences of one year or less, or other forms of punishment. The Mississippi Legislature has the authority to define state crimes and their respective classifications and penalties. For federal offenses, the United States Congress determines the classification and penalties, which apply nationwide. Therefore, a crime may be considered a felony or a misdemeanor based on the statutes enacted by either the Mississippi state legislature or the U.S. Congress, depending on whether it is a state or federal offense.