Felony in Wisconsin
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Wisconsin defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison and uses a bifurcated sentencing structure for serious offenses.
How Wisconsin treats Felony
Wisconsin law defines a felony as any crime for which the sentence may exceed one year of imprisonment. The state employs a two-tier sentencing system: crimes punishable by more than five years receive enhanced procedural protections and sentencing guidelines. Wisconsin distinguishes between felonies and misdemeanors at the charging stage, and felony convictions result in loss of voting rights during incarceration and supervised release. The state also imposes mandatory minimum sentences for certain violent felonies and repeat offenders under its persistent repeater statute.
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 Wisconsin.