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 Washington State, criminal offenses are indeed categorized into felonies and misdemeanors based on their severity, similar to the federal system. Felonies are the more serious crimes, potentially leading to prison sentences of more than one year, and are further divided into classes A, B, and C, with Class A being the most serious. Misdemeanors in Washington are less serious offenses and are subdivided into simple misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors. Gross misdemeanors can result in up to one year in jail, while simple misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of 90 days. The Washington State Legislature defines the classification of state crimes and the corresponding penalties, while the United States Congress is responsible for federal criminal offenses. It's important to note that some crimes can be charged under both state and federal law, which may affect the severity of the penalties imposed.