Felony in West Virginia
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
West Virginia defines felonies as crimes punishable by one or more years in prison, following the standard federal definition.
How West Virginia treats Felony
West Virginia law generally follows the standard definition of a felony as any crime punishable by imprisonment for one year or longer. The state distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors primarily by potential sentence length rather than offense type. West Virginia courts apply felony convictions to sentencing enhancements for repeat offenders and restrict certain rights including voting and firearm possession. The state also recognizes felony murder rules that can elevate charges during commission of inherently dangerous felonies.
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 West Virginia.