What is a Felony ?

A felony is a crime of a graver or more serious natyre than those designated as misdemeanors; e.g. assault with the intent to commit great bodily injury (felony) as contrasted with simple assault (misdemeanor). Under California law, a felony offense may be punishable by death or imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.

Crimes which are commonly considered to be felonies include, but are not limited to: aggravated assault, assault with a deadly weapon, arson, burglary, domestic violence, possession of drugs for personal use and sale, felony DUI, gang offenses, attempted murder, rape, robbery, burglary, etc. Those who are convicted of a felony are known as felons, a social stigma. Originally, felonies were crimes for which the punishment was either death or forfeiture of property. In modern times felons can receive punishments which range in severity from probation, to imprisonment, to execution.

In addition to the aforementioned penalties, individuals convicted of felony offenses also receive additional penalties such as the loss of voting rights, exclusion from certain lines of work, prohibition from obtaining certain licenses, exclusion from purchase/possession of firearms or ammunition, and ineligibility to run for or be elected to public office, etc. These, consequences are referred to as collateral consequences.

The federal system also classifies crimes as felonies and misdemeanors. Within the federal system, penalties for felony violations range depending upon the severity and criminal history.