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 Kansas, as in other states, criminal offenses are categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on their severity. Felonies are considered more serious crimes and can result in imprisonment for more than one year, while misdemeanors are less serious offenses with potential jail time 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 Kansas State Legislature is responsible for defining state-level criminal offenses and designating them as either felonies or misdemeanaries, along with setting the penalties for each. This structure allows for a clear distinction between the levels of criminal offenses and ensures that the punishment is proportionate to the crime committed.