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In US law, a felony is typically defined as a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than one year or by the death penalty. Misdemeanors, in contrast, are often defined as offenses punishable only by fines or by short terms of imprisonment in local jails. Originally, in English law, a felony was a crime for which the perpetrator would suffer forfeiture of all real and personal property as well as whatever sentence was imposed. Under US law, there is no forfeiture of all of the felon’s property, and it is not part of the definition. For certain crimes, however, such as some kinds of racketeering, specific property is subject to forfeiture.
Examples of felony in a Sentence
Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, Jake Offenhartz and Michelle L. Price The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Despite the felony conviction, Trump retains his right to vote in future elections, according to Florida and New York state laws.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
Kyren Lacy, a former wide receiver at LSU and potential 2025 NFL draft pick, is facing felony charges stemming from a Dec. 17 car crash that killed a former marine.
—Natasha Dye, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025
Prince George’s County, Maryland: Updates to the Employment Fairness Act lowered the employer threshold from 25 to 10 employees and excluded non-violent felonies older than five years, misdemeanors older than 30 months, and marijuana possession offenses unless intent to distribute is involved.
—Alonzo Martinez, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Felony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/felony. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
felony
noun
Legal Definition
felony
noun
Note: Originally in English law a felony was a crime for which the perpetrator would suffer forfeiture of all real and personal property as well as whatever sentence was imposed. Under U.S. law, there is no forfeiture of all of the felon's property (real or personal) and such forfeiture is not part of the definition of a felony. For certain crimes, however (as for a conviction under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act or a narcotics law), specific property, such as that used in or gained by the crime, is subject to forfeiture. Every state has its own statutory definition of a felony. Most are in line with the federal definition of a felony as a crime which carries a sentence of imprisonment for more than one year or the death penalty (where applicable). Other states, like Louisiana, define a felony as a crime which carries a sentence of death or imprisonment at hard labor.
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