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 Utah, as in other states, criminal offenses are categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on their severity, with felonies being the more serious crimes. Felonies in Utah can result in imprisonment for more than one year, and in some cases, may even lead to life imprisonment or the death penalty for the most severe offenses like capital murder. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are less serious offenses and typically carry penalties of up to one year in jail. The Utah State Legislature determines the classification of state crimes and their respective punishments. For federal offenses, the classification and penalties are established by the United States Congress. Federal felonies usually involve more severe penalties and longer sentences than misdemeanors, and they are prosecuted in federal courts under federal law.