Felony in Pennsylvania
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Pennsylvania defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than two years imprisonment, setting a higher threshold than federal law.
How Pennsylvania treats Felony
Pennsylvania's definition of felony requires a potential sentence exceeding two years, not one year as in federal law. This means some crimes that qualify as felonies federally may be misdemeanors under Pennsylvania law. The state also recognizes ungraded felonies and grades felonies from first to third degree, with first-degree felonies carrying the most severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment.
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 Pennsylvania.