Felony
In one sentence
A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.
Plain English
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.
Example
When Tom was convicted of armed robbery, he received a five-year prison sentence. Because the sentence exceeded one year, his conviction counted as a felony, which meant he lost his right to vote and could no longer own firearms.
Used in a sentence
“The prosecutor charged him with a felony after he was caught selling large quantities of cocaine.”
How Felony differs by state
Felony can apply differently depending on the state. Click a state to see local specifics.
Alabama
Alabama defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison, typically for over one year.
Alaska
Alaska classifies felonies as crimes with sentences exceeding one year, with unique unclassified felony provisions.
Arizona
Arizona defines felonies by offense class (1–6), with Class 1 felonies carrying life or death sentences.
Arkansas
Arkansas defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in state prison.
California
California defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison, with Proposition 47 reducing many to misdemeanors.
Hawaii
Hawaii classifies felonies by grade (1–4) with imprisonment terms ranging from one year to life.
Idaho
Idaho defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, with sentences up to life.
Illinois
Illinois classifies felonies into four classes (X, 1, 2, 3) with mandatory minimum sentences varying by class.
Indiana
Indiana classifies felonies into six levels (A–F) with Level A carrying 20–50 years or life imprisonment.
Iowa
Iowa classifies felonies into five classes (A–D and aggravated misdemeanor) with Class A carrying up to life imprisonment.
Kansas
Kansas defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment, with sentences ranging from 5 years to life.
Kentucky
Kentucky defines felonies as crimes punishable by at least two years imprisonment, slightly higher than the federal standard.
Louisiana
Louisiana defines felonies as crimes punishable by hard labor or imprisonment at hard labor for more than six months.
Maine
Maine defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment, consistent with federal standards.
Maryland
Maryland defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment, following the standard federal definition.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison (not county jail) for over one year.
Michigan
Michigan defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, following the standard federal definition.
Minnesota
Minnesota defines felonies as crimes with a sentence exceeding one year, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders under sentencing guidelines.
Mississippi
Mississippi defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for more than one year or by death.
Missouri
Missouri defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, with a detailed classification system (Classes A through D).
Montana
Montana defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, following the standard federal definition.
Nebraska
Nebraska defines felonies as crimes with sentences exceeding one year, with specific sentencing grids determining actual prison time.
Nevada
Nevada defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment in state prison, typically for more than one year.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, with no mandatory minimum sentences for most felonies.
New Jersey
New Jersey defines felonies as crimes of the first through fourth degree, each with distinct sentencing ranges exceeding one year.
New Mexico
New Mexico classifies felonies into four categories (1–4) based on severity, with sentences ranging from 18 months to life imprisonment.
New York
New York distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors by sentence length: felonies carry sentences exceeding one year, with four violent felony categories receiving enhanced penalties.
North Carolina
North Carolina classifies felonies into 10 offense classes (A through I), with Class A felonies carrying life sentences and Class I felonies carrying 3–10 months imprisonment.
North Dakota
North Dakota defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison and classifies them into five grades (A through C and unclassified).
Ohio
Ohio classifies felonies into five categories (1–5) based on severity, with first-degree felonies carrying sentences of 3–11 years or life imprisonment.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, with enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.
Oregon
Oregon classifies felonies by crime category (A, B, C) with corresponding sentencing ranges, not simply by exceeding one year.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than two years imprisonment, setting a higher threshold than federal law.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year, consistent with federal standards but with unique sentencing provisions.
South Carolina
South Carolina defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment, with enhanced sentences for violent and repeat offenders.
South Dakota
South Dakota defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment, with no separate death penalty statute.
Tennessee
Tennessee defines felonies as crimes with sentences exceeding one year, with capital murder remaining a capital felony.
Texas
Texas defines felonies as crimes punishable by at least two years in prison, with capital murder eligible for death penalty.
Utah
Utah defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison, with capital felonies eligible for death penalty.
Vermont
Vermont defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than two years imprisonment, with no capital punishment available.
Virginia
Virginia defines felonies as crimes punishable by at least one year in prison, with some crimes carrying mandatory minimum sentences.
Washington
Washington classifies felonies by seriousness level (A, B, or C) with corresponding sentencing ranges, rather than using a simple one-year threshold.
West Virginia
West Virginia defines felonies as crimes punishable by one or more years in prison, following the standard federal definition.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison and uses a bifurcated sentencing structure for serious offenses.
Wyoming
Wyoming defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison and applies mandatory sentencing ranges for most felony convictions.
District of Columbia
DC defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year imprisonment, following the federal standard.
Colorado
Colorado classifies felonies by level (1–6), with Level 1 crimes carrying 8–24 years minimum imprisonment.
Connecticut
Connecticut defines felonies as crimes punishable by more than one year, with sentences ranging from 1–25+ years depending on class.
Delaware
Delaware treats felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, with sentences up to life depending on offense class.
Florida
Florida categorizes felonies by degree (1st, 2nd, 3rd), with 1st-degree felonies carrying 30 years to life imprisonment.
Georgia
Georgia defines felonies as crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, with sentences ranging from 1 year to life.
Related terms
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in jail and/or fines.
Sentencing
The judge's decision on punishment after a defendant is found guilty.
habitual offender
A person with multiple prior criminal convictions who faces enhanced penalties for new crimes under habitual offender laws.
criminal intent
The mental state or purpose required to commit a crime.
accomplice liability
Legal responsibility for a crime based on helping or encouraging someone else to commit it.
Homicide
The act of one person causing the death of another human being.
Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Castle Doctrine
A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.
This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.