Felony in Virginia
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Virginia defines felonies as crimes punishable by at least one year in prison, with some crimes carrying mandatory minimum sentences.
How Virginia treats Felony
Virginia law treats any crime punishable by imprisonment of one year or more as a felony. The state distinguishes between felonies and misdemeanors primarily by sentence length rather than crime category. Virginia also imposes mandatory minimum sentences for certain violent felonies and drug offenses, meaning judges must impose at least the statutory minimum regardless of circumstances. Conviction of a felony in Virginia results in loss of voting rights until rights are restored through petition.
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 Virginia.