The Federal government defines Felony as a serious criminal offense, characterized under federal law of U.S for which a convicted person can be sentenced to serve one or more years in a state or federal prison, pay fines or both.
Presently many state statutes list various classes of felonies with penalties commensurate with the gravity of the offense. Crimes classified as felonies include treason, murder, rape, robbery, burglary, manslaughter, and kidnapping. The Felony classes are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I. Each Felony Class is classified according to its seriousness and punishment and is determined by the legislature.
The origin of the word felony can be traced to English common law; according to such law felony referred to crimes wherein the convicted individual's land and goods were confiscated. Other crimes were usually known as misdemeanors. The basic difference between felony crimes and misdemeanor crimes is made by the prison sentence in accordance to the statute. One or more year or prison sentence is felony otherwise it is referred as misdemeanor.
Felony is such a grave matter in the United States that a convict might lose voting rights in several sates. It might even bar them from right to work in certain specific areas and thereby make it difficult to find a job. Getting a license is prohibited. A person charged of felony will not be able to make possession or purchase firearms, ammunition and any kind of body armor. They won't be able to run or be selected for a position in public office. In some cases felony conviction is considered as a solid ground for uncontested divorce. In case of people who are not US citizen he or she will be subjected to deportation.
Felony Class
A crime is classified as Class A Felony if convicted in a murder case of 1st degree or unlawful use of a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon of mass destruction (injures another). The punishment is a lifetime sentence. For a repeat offender, the term of imprisonment may increase up to 2 years, if the person was previously convicted previous misdemeanors (convicted for lesser crime than felony) and up to 6 years if he/she was previously convicted of a felony.
It is a Class B Felony if one is charged in 1st degree rape, 1st degree sexual offense, murder of 2nd degree, unlawful manufacture, possession, storage, transportation, or use of a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon of mass destruction (conspires to injure another). The penalty is imprisonment up to 60 years. For a repeat offender, the increment in punishment is same as in previous case.
For a Class C Felony, there is a fine of up to $100,000, or imprisonment of up to 40 years, or both. It includes 2nd degree rape and sexual offense, assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, adulterated food, drugs, intent to cause serious injury or death, kidnapping in the 1st degree, embezzlements, etc. For a repeat offender and with previous felonies, the term of imprisonment remains the same as above.
Class D for person convicted of burglary, robbery, trafficking of Illegal substances, etc. The punishment is a fine of up to $100,000, or imprisonment of up to 25 years, or both. For a repeat offender and prior felony cases, the penalty remains the same as in other case.
One is booked under this Felony Class if charged of malicious assault, child abuse, manufacture, sell or delivery of controlled substance, etc. For a Class E Felony, the penalty is a fine of up to $50,000, or imprisonment of up to 15 years, or both; and for a repeat offender and with prior felonies, the term of imprisonment may increase 2-6 years.
Class F Felony includes human assault, burning and damaging of public properties, bribery, trafficking of banned substances, etc. The fine of up to $25,000, or imprisonment of up to 12-1/2 years, or both; however, for a repeat offender, the term of imprisonment may increase up to 2-6 years with prior misdemeanor convictions, and with prior felony convictions.
For a Class G Felony, the penalty is a fine of up to $25,000, or imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both; however, for a repeat offender, the term of imprisonment may increase up to 2-6 years with prior misdemeanor convictions, and with a prior felony conviction. Classified of domestic abuses, contaminate food or drink of a person, domestic crimes, illegal possessions, etc.
For a Class H Felony, the penalty is a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 6 years, or both. For repeat offenders and with prior felonies the punishment remains the same as above. Major crimes include larceny, forgery, harassment, theft, etc.
It classifies most common crimes such as false statements, threats, negligence, forgery, causing Injury, false certification, etc. The penalty is a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 3-1/2 years, or both; and for a repeat offender and with earlier felonies, the term of imprisonment may increase up to 2-6 years.
