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Felony Defined

As a general rule, felony offenses are those which carry a potential prison term of more than one year. A felony is a wrong against society and the state, not just a single individual. A prosecutor or district attorney brings all legal action related to felony prosecutions. Conviction of a felony can lead to further restrictions, including the loss of the right to vote, as well as disqualification for ownership of firearms.

 

Examples of Felonies

Certain crimes, by their very nature, are considered so heinous or severe that they are always considered felonies. Homicide, kidnapping, and burglary are examples. In most other instances, whether an illegal act constitutes a felony depends on the severity of the crime. With theft crimes, it is the dollar amount that distinguishes between grand theft or grand larceny, a felony, and petty theft/petty larceny, a misdemeanor.
Most felony charges involve some harm or threat of harm to another person. Many jurisdictions punish repeat offenses for certain crimes, such as DUI, as felonies, even though a first offense may be a misdemeanor.