Felony in New York
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
New York distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors by sentence length: felonies carry sentences exceeding one year, with four violent felony categories receiving enhanced penalties.
How New York treats Felony
New York Penal Law defines a felony as any offense punishable by death or imprisonment exceeding one year. The state recognizes 'violent felonies' as a distinct category with mandatory minimum sentences and enhanced consequences, including potential life imprisonment for certain crimes. Felony convictions in New York carry collateral consequences such as loss of voting rights and professional licensing 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 New York.