Felony — in plain language

Plain language

a serious crime that can send you to prison for more than one year

• serious crime
• major crime
• indictable offense
• serious criminal charge

What to watch for

• Non-lawyers often think any bad act is a felony. The translation must emphasize the seriousness threshold and the typical punishment of over one year in prison.
• Felonies are divided into classes (Class A, B, C, etc.) in many states, but these classifications vary by jurisdiction. A plain-language translation should not assume the reader knows what 'Class B felony' means without explanation.
• The term 'wobbler' refers to crimes that can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. Translators must clarify when this flexibility exists rather than assuming a fixed classification.
• In contracts, 'felony' often appears in clauses about criminal background, but the translation should specify whether it refers to conviction, plea, or even arrest depending on the clause's intent.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor vs. Infraction. These three categories form a hierarchy of criminal offenses. Felonies are the most serious (prison for over a year), misdemeanors are less serious (jail for up to a year), and infractions are minor violations (usually just a fine, like a traffic ticket). The plain-language translation should make this distinction clear when comparing terms.

Jurisdictional Variations. Different states classify felonies differently. Some use classes (Class A, B, C), others use degrees (first degree, second degree), and the specific crimes that qualify as felonies can vary. When translating contract clauses or legal documents, the plain-language version should not assume the reader knows which specific crimes count as felonies in their jurisdiction.

Common Misunderstandings by Non-Lawyers.

• "Felony means someone went to prison for life." (Not necessarily — many felonies have sentences of just a few years, and some felons never serve prison time.)
• "A felony is the same everywhere." (Wrong — what counts as a felony varies by state and federal law.)
• "Being arrested for a felony means you're guilty." (No — arrest is just an accusation; conviction requires a trial or guilty plea.)

Legal definition

A serious crime that is more severe than a misdemeanor and is typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Felonies include crimes like murder, rape, robbery, burglary, and arson. If someone is convicted of a felony, they may also face additional consequences like loss of certain civil rights (such as voting or owning firearms) and difficulty finding employment or housing in the future.

Examples

Where you'll see it

• criminal charges and indictments
• sentencing hearings
• background check disclosures
• employment contracts and licensing applications
• plea agreements

Related terms

• misdemeanor
• infraction
• wobbler
• crime of violence

Word details

Pronunciation

FEL-uh-nee

Part of speech

noun

Origin

Latin — from 'felo' meaning false or deceitful; related to 'felonia' meaning wickedness or evil deed

Domains

criminal law, criminal procedure, sentencing

Frequency

very common

Formality

high