What is Felony?
A serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year, such as murder, rape, robbery, or drug trafficking.
Understanding Felony
Felonies are classified into degrees or classes with varying penalties. Consequences extend beyond imprisonment to include loss of voting rights, firearm restrictions, and difficulty finding employment. Some felonies can be reduced to misdemeanors or expunged.
Examples
- 1First-degree murder carrying life sentence
- 2Drug trafficking felony with mandatory minimum
- 3Grand theft felony for stealing over threshold amount
Related Terms
Misdemeanor
A less serious crime punishable by up to one year in county jail, fines, probation, or community service.
Probation
A court-ordered period of supervision in the community instead of imprisonment, subject to conditions like regular check-ins, drug testing, and avoiding new crimes.
Expungement
The legal process of sealing or destroying criminal records so they are not accessible to the general public or appear on background checks.
DUI/DWI
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) is the crime of operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
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