Felony

Felony

Felony, in common law, the second in seriousness of three classifications of crimes. The first classification is treason and the third, covering all minor offenses, is misdemeanors. The distinction between felonies and misdemeanors is artificial and corresponds roughly to that between grave offenses and those less heinous in character. Formerly, a felony was any crime punishable by the criminal’s forfeiture of any lands or goods, or both; other punishment might be added to the forfeiture, according to the degree of guilt. In England, for a long time, most felonies were punishable by death.

Felony in the United States

In some states of the U.S., little differentiation is made between felonies and misdemeanors. The punishment for each particular crime is prescribed by statute, and the word felony, is used, if at all, in a loose and indefinite sense. In general, crimes that are punishable by death or by imprisonment in a state prison or penitentiary, with or without hard labor, are felonies, whether or not a less severe punishment may be inflicted at the discretion of the court or jury. No crime is a felony unless made so by statute, or unless it was a felony in common law.

Source: “Felony” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2000

See Also

Criminal defense lawyers
Criminal law: Felonies and misdemeanors
Criminal lawyers
List of Crimes

Introduction to Felony

Felony, in common law, the second in seriousness of three classifications of crimes. The first classification is treason and the third, covering all minor offenses, is misdemeanors. The distinction between felonies and misdemeanors is artificial and corresponds roughly to that between grave offenses and those less heinous in character. Formerly, a felony was any crime punishable by the criminal’s forfeiture of any lands or goods, or both; other punishment might be added to the forfeiture, according to the degree of guilt. In England, for a long time, most felonies were punishable by death.

In some states of the U.S., little differentiation is made between felonies and misdemeanors. The punishment for each particular crime is prescribed by statute, and the word felony, is used, if at all, in a loose and indefinite sense. In general, crimes that are punishable by death or by imprisonment in a state prison or penitentiary, with or without hard labor, are felonies, whether or not a less severe punishment may be inflicted at the discretion of the court or jury. No crime is a felony unless made so by statute, or unless it was a felony in common law.” (1)

Concept of Felony

Note: explore also the meaning of this legal term in the American Ecyclopedia of Law.

Resources

See Also

  • Judiciary

Resources

Notes and References

Guide to Felony


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