Felony in Massachusetts
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Massachusetts defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison (not county jail) for over one year.
How Massachusetts treats Felony
Massachusetts distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors based on where the sentence is served: state prison indicates a felony, while county jail indicates a misdemeanor. A crime punishable by more than one year in state prison qualifies as a felony under Massachusetts law. This distinction affects sentencing, parole eligibility, and collateral consequences like voting rights and firearm restrictions.
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 Massachusetts.