What is a Felony
A felony is the most serious category of crime, typically punishable by more than one year in prison, and carries severe long-term consequences including loss of voting rights and employment opportunities.
A felony is the most serious classification of crime in the United States criminal justice system. Felonies are generally defined as offenses punishable by more than one year of imprisonment in a state or federal prison (as opposed to a local jail). At the federal level and in most states, serious felony charges are formally brought through an indictment issued by a grand jury. Felonies include violent crimes, major property crimes, and serious drug offenses.
Felony Classifications
Most states classify felonies by degree or letter grade to reflect severity:
| Class | Examples | Typical Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Class A / First Degree | Murder, rape, kidnapping | 20 years to life |
| Class B / Second Degree | Assault with a weapon, robbery | 5–25 years |
| Class C / Third Degree | Drug trafficking, burglary | 3–10 years |
| Class D / Fourth Degree | Grand theft, some DUIs | 1–5 years |
Common Felony Offenses
- Violent crimes — Murder, manslaughter, rape, kidnapping, aggravated assault
- Property crimes — Burglary, arson, grand theft, fraud over threshold amounts
- Drug crimes — Trafficking, distribution, manufacturing controlled substances
- White-collar crimes — Embezzlement, securities fraud, wire fraud, money laundering
- Weapons offenses — Illegal possession of firearms by prohibited persons
- Sex offenses — Child exploitation, human trafficking
Long-Term Consequences of a Felony Conviction
Beyond the prison sentence, felony convictions carry lasting consequences:
- Loss of voting rights — Varies by state; some permanently disenfranchise felons
- Loss of firearm rights — Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms
- Employment restrictions — Many employers won't hire with a felony record; professional licenses may be denied
- Housing discrimination — Felons are often excluded from public housing and many rentals
- Immigration consequences — Non-citizens may face deportation
- Loss of jury service eligibility
- Difficulty obtaining loans or financial aid
Because of these severe consequences, many defendants facing felony charges will negotiate a plea bargain to have charges reduced to a misdemeanor or to secure a lighter sentence.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor
| Feature | Felony | Misdemeanor |
|---|---|---|
| Severity | Most serious | Less serious |
| Prison sentence | 1+ year (state prison) | Up to 1 year (local jail) |
| Long-term consequences | Severe and lasting | Less severe |
| Examples | Murder, robbery | DUI, petty theft, disorderly conduct |
The Felony Murder Rule
Some states apply the felony murder rule, under which participants in a dangerous felony can be charged with murder if someone dies during the commission of that felony — even if they didn't personally kill anyone.