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What is a
felony?
In the United States (and previously other common law countries) a
felony is defined as a serious crime. Felonies
are generally considered to be the most serious type of crime.
Where did
the term "felony" originate?
The term
felony originates from English common law where felonies were originally
crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and
goods. Other crimes were called misdemeanors. Most common law
countries have now abolished the felony and misdemeanor distinction and
replaced it with summary offences and indictable offences.
In the United States, where the felony /
misdemeanor distinction is
still widely applied, the Federal government defines a felony as a crime
which involves a potential punishment of one year or longer in prison. |
