In general, a felony is an offense for which a sentence to a term of imprisonment in excess of one year is authorized. Felonies are serious crimes, such as murder, rape, or burglary, punishable by a harsher sentence than that given for a misdemeanor.
The sentence for a felonious crime under state law will be served in a state prison, since a year or less can be served in county jail. However, a sentence upon conviction for a felony may sometimes be less than one year at the discretion of the judge and within limits set by statute.
Felonies may be classified by level of seriousness. More serious felonies carry harsher penalties. The classification of felonies varies by jurisdiction and crime. Typically, when felonies are classified into categories, a Class A felony is more severely punished than lower level Class B and even lower level Class C felonies. The statute of limitations varies by jurisdiction and type of felony.
