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Felonies are serious crimes involving violence towards another or the threat of a violent act. Common felonies include theft, drug sales, assault, and murder. All states have Class A, Class B, and Class C felonies, while a handful of states go further and have Class D and Class E felonies, too. The punishments for felonies include fines and incarceration, and some can include losing specific rights.

Misdemeanors are lower-level crimes than felonies. Common misdemeanors include simple assault, shoplifting, cybercrimes, and vandalism. There are three classes of misdemeanors: Class A, Class B, and Class C. The punishments for misdemeanors are typically small fines and/or jail time. There are two categories of misdemeanors. The more severe category is called a gross misdemeanor, while the less severe category is called a petty misdemeanor.

Arrests take place when police have probable cause that a specific person or group committed a crime, or when they witness a crime take place. The next step is typically an arrest warrant, explaining who is accused and the crime they are accused of. Other types of warrants cover other circumstances, such as search and seizure warrants or just a search warrant. They are issued from the court by a judge once the judge sees the probable cause evidence.

A traffic violation is any action that breaks a traffic law. These crimes can be something as simple as failing to stop at a posted stop sign, having broken lights on the vehicle, texting and driving or not wearing a seat belt. Many traffic violations cause car accidents, leaving people or property seriously damaged. The punishments for many traffic violations might result in jail time and some fines, but the more serious offenses may also include license suspension. Most states also have points systems, and each traffic violation removes points from a driver’s license until the person has their license revoked.