What type of crime encompasses both misdemeanors and felonies?

The term that encompasses both misdemeanors and felonies is "offenses." This classification signifies that offenses can range in severity from less serious crimes, such as misdemeanors, to more serious crimes, such as felonies. Misdemeanors typically involve less severe punishments, often resulting in shorter jail terms or fines, while felonies carry more substantial penalties, including longer prison sentences.

Understanding this classification is crucial in the legal field as it helps delineate the types of conduct that can result in different levels of legal action. Other terms like "violations," "infractions," and "criminal acts" have distinct meanings: violations and infractions are usually lesser offenses, often punishable by fines rather than jail time, and "criminal acts" is a broader term that can include any action against the law but does not specifically denote the categorization into misdemeanors and felonies.