offense N. (UK - offence)
Conduct for which a person may be sentenced to a fine or jail. This is a very broad term and includes felonies, misdemeanors, violations and infractions.
offender N.
a person who transgresses moral or civil law; a person who does harm to others
The guidelines give judges a chart, with the length of a sentence determined by the severity of the crime committed and the extent of the offender's criminal history.
A judge should try to get the attention of the offenders by making the sentence mean something to them.