The courts
felony
A serious crime, defined federally as one punishable by more than a year of imprisonment. Misdemeanors carry a year or less.
In full
The line matters beyond the sentence: a federal felony requires grand jury indictment, and a felony conviction can cost the right to vote in some states, the right to possess a firearm, professional licenses, and eligibility for some public benefits. These collateral consequences often outlast the sentence itself.
Also written as: misdemeanor
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.