Felony in California
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
California defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison, with Proposition 47 reducing many to misdemeanors.
How California treats Felony
California defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison (as opposed to county jail). Proposition 47 (2014) reclassified certain drug and property crimes as misdemeanors when amounts fall below specified thresholds, significantly reducing the felony caseload. California law distinguishes between straight felonies (prosecuted only as felonies) and wobbler offenses (prosecutable as either felonies or misdemeanors at prosecutor discretion). Felony convictions carry serious collateral consequences, including voting restrictions, firearm prohibitions, and professional license revocation.
The general definition of Felony
A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.
A felony is the most serious category of crime in the US criminal system. The key distinction is punishment: if a conviction can result in more than one year of imprisonment, it's a felony. Felonies include crimes like murder, rape, robbery, and drug trafficking. A felony conviction carries long-term consequences, including loss of voting rights, gun ownership restrictions, and difficulty finding employment.
Read the full Felony entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in California.