In the United States, a felony is a crime that is punishable by death or more than one year in prison. [5] Under common law, felonies were crimes punishable by either death, forfeiture of property, or both.

Feb 20, 2025 · In general, a felony can be defined as any criminal offense that results in a prison of one year or longer. They tend to be crimes that involve an element of violence and are considered …

A felony is a type of offense punishable under criminal law. Many states classify felonies under different categories depending on the seriousness of the crime and its punishment.

In U.S. law the classification of a crime as a felony or as a misdemeanour is ordinarily determined by the penalties attached to the offense. A felony is typically defined as a crime punishable by a term of …

Dec 8, 2016 · In US law, a felony is typically defined as a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or by the death penalty. Misdemeanors, in contrast, are often defined as …

Jul 17, 2025 · A crime is classified as a felony if it is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. This historical dividing line determines the offense’s classification regardless of the actual sentence …

felony - A serious crime that's typically punishable by more than one year in prison, or in some cases, death

A felony is a serious crime punishable by over a year in prison. Learn about felony classifications, examples, penalties, and long-term legal impacts.

Jul 14, 2023 · Learn what makes a crime a felony and its possible punishments. Felonies are serious crimes that carry potential sentences ranging anywhere from more than one year to life in prison or …

Oct 9, 2025 · A felony is a serious criminal offense punishable by over one year in prison or the death penalty. Learn the legal definition and common examples.