Felony in Hawaii
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Hawaii classifies felonies by grade (1–4) with imprisonment terms ranging from one year to life.
How Hawaii treats Felony
Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 706 establishes a graded felony system where Grade 1 felonies carry the longest sentences, including life imprisonment. A felony in Hawaii is any crime punishable by more than one year in prison. The state distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors primarily by sentence length rather than crime category alone.
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 Hawaii.