felony

The definition of a felony is a major crime with a minimum penalty of one year in prison.

Felony Degree Rankings

Each type of felony is classified using a degree ranking. This degree ranking uses a letter or a number, and the rank determines how serious the crime is. These rankings usually differ from state to state; however, violent felonies are often considered more serious crimes than non violent crimes.

Types of Felonies

There are two different types of felonies:

• A violent crime - a crime in which the individual who committed the crime presented a serious risk of injury to another individual. For example, a crime in which the individual used a gun or a weapon would be considered a violent felony.

• A non-violent crime - a crime in which the individual who committed the crime did not present a serious risk of injury to another individual. For example, possession of an illegal substance is considered a non-violent felony.

After an individual is released from prison after committing a felony, he or she still suffers consequences from the government:

• The individual may lose their right to vote.
• The individual may not be eligible for certain licenses.
• The individual may be deported.