Felony Meaning In Law. 1 a crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by death or a term in state or federal prison as distinguished from a misdemeanor which is. At English common law a felony was any crime punishable by forfeiture of land or goods to the Crown.
Felony Law and Legal Definition. Crimes are felonies if they can carry more than a year in jail. They are generally defined as crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year and the prison sentences are usually served in a federal or state penitentiary rather than a county jail.
Misdemeanors in contrast are often defined as offenses punishable only by fines or by short terms of imprisonment in local jails.
A serious crime that can be punished by more than one year in prison. They tend to be crimes that involve an element of violence and are considered harmful or dangerous to society. Felony A serious crime punishable by more than a year in prison or by death. A A serious crime contrasted with misdemeanors and infractions less serious crimes usually punishable by a prison term of more than one year or in some cases by death.
