an offense, as murder or burglary, of graver character than those called misdemeanors, especially those commonly punished in the U.S. by imprisonment for more than a year.
Early English Law. any crime punishable by death or mutilation and forfeiture of lands and goods.
Origin of felony
1250–1300; Middle English felonie<Anglo-French, Old French: villainy, a felony. See felon1, -y3
Election officials are required by law to periodically update their records, removing individuals who have moved away, died or been newly convicted of a felony.
ProPublica’s Pandemic Guide to Making Sure Your Vote Counts|by Susie Armitage|September 16, 2020|ProPublica
Proposition 20 would allow prosecutors to charge certain non-violent offenses as a felony and would establish new types of crimes, making it harder for those people to qualify for early release.
Morning Report: The Dreaded Purple Tier|Voice of San Diego|September 16, 2020|Voice of San Diego
It wasn’t, and their armed display resulted in felony charges.
How an overload of riot porn is driving conflict in the streets|Bobbie Johnson|September 3, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Sullivan is charged with obstruction of justice and failing to report his knowledge of a felony.
Ex-Uber security chief accused of covering up hacking|Verne Kopytoff|August 20, 2020|Fortune
With the racial disparities in the prosecution of felonies coming increasingly under fire, 13 states now prohibit private employers from asking about criminal history, according to the National Employment Law Project.
Please avoid this biased hiring practice during the economic recovery|Sara Nadel|July 14, 2020|Quartz
There is no requirement for a member of Congress to resign after pleading guilty to a felony.
The Felon Who Wouldn’t Leave Congress|Ben Jacobs, David Freedlander|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Beebe was arrested in January 2006 and charged with two counts of felony rape.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Today it would be considered a felony, classifying him as a “two-timer” and therefore ineligible for special release.
A Million Ways to Die in Prison|Daniel Genis|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If this were accurate, it would mean that the Wilson stopped Brown over a minor offense, not a felony.
Why Darren Wilson Will Walk|Dean Obeidallah|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An Uber driver assaulted a passenger and it turned out he had a felony conviction, despite passing the background check.
The Ten Worst Uber Horror Stories|Olivia Nuzzi|November 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Conviction prior to marriage by either party of felony or infamous crime, unknown to the other spouse.
Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World|Hyacinthe Ringrose
Do you think it nothing to be mated to a living perjury, a felony in flesh and blood?
Eden|Edgar Saltus
Against Humphrey there are three indictments for felony on the docket, each for conspiring, etc., to commit personal violence.
Kentucky's Famous Feuds and Tragedies|Chas. G Mutzenberg
Shure, you wouldnt have me compound a felony like that, would you?
Droll Stories of Isthmian Life|Evelyn Saxton
One witness (and for that reason) is allowed sufficient to convict, in cases of felony, which in other laws is not permitted.
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. XI. (of 12)|Edmund Burke
British Dictionary definitions for felony
felony
/ (ˈfɛlənɪ) /
nounplural-nies
(formerly) a serious crime, such as murder or arson. All distinctions between felony and misdemeanour were abolished in England and Wales in 1967