What type of offense is designated by law as punishable by death or confinement in a penitentiary?

The type of offense designated by law as punishable by death or confinement in a penitentiary is classified as a felony. Felonies are serious crimes that carry severe consequences, which can include long-term imprisonment or even capital punishment in certain cases. Examples of felonies include murder, rape, and robbery, which are viewed as significant threats to society.

Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are less severe offenses typically punishable by fines or shorter jail terms and do not involve incarceration in a penitentiary. Infractions are minor violations, such as traffic offenses, often resulting in a fine rather than jail time, and petty crimes likewise refer to less serious offenses that typically incur light penalties, usually dealt with at a local level without severe legal consequences. Thus, the severity and potential penalties associated with felonies clearly distinguish them from these other types of offenses.