A felony is a type of criminal offense that is considered more serious than a misdemeanor. In the United States, a felony is generally defined as a crime that carries a potential punishment of over a year of incarceration. In California, a felony is defined as a criminal offense that carries a maximum sentence of more than one year in custody. Felonies are classified based on their severity and corresponding incarceration and fine guidelines, and they can be characterized as violent or nonviolent. Some examples of common types of felonies include:

• Drug-related crimes: These include possession, use, manufacture, or sale of certain drugs. The severity of the crime depends on several state-specific criteria, including the quantity and type of drug and if it’s being sold, trafficked, or distributed. Felony drug charges often result in over a year in prison and serious criminal fines.

• Disorderly conduct: Creating a public disturbance can be considered a felony. Another example of felony disorderly conduct is falsely reporting a fire or other emergency. For disorderly conduct crimes that are escalated to a felony, sentencing guidelines could exceed one-year imprisonment plus a fine.

• Violent crimes: These include offenses such as murder, rape, and assault. The severity of the crime and the corresponding punishment depend on the specific circumstances of the offense.

If convicted of a felony, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. In addition to potential imprisonment and fines, a felony conviction can make it difficult or even impossible to obtain certain types of employment or professional licensing. Federal laws prohibit a convicted felon from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition, and a felony conviction will also result in the loss of voting rights and from holding a public office.