Felony in Georgia
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Georgia defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, with sentences ranging from 1 year to life.
How Georgia treats Felony
Georgia classifies felonies into categories with varying sentence ranges; for example, murder carries life imprisonment or death penalty, while other felonies range from 1–20+ years. The state applies mandatory minimum sentences for certain violent crimes and drug offenses. Georgia's sentencing structure considers offense severity, prior convictions, and aggravating or mitigating circumstances.
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 Georgia.