What is a felony?

• A. A felony is any minor traffic violation.
• B. A felony is a civil dispute resolved by fines.
• C. A felony is a crime typically involving violence and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
• D. A felony is an act of piracy only.

Answer: (C)

A felony is a serious crime that is typically punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death, and it often involves violence. This definition captures the key threshold that separates felonies from lesser offenses: the potential for long-term imprisonment or the most severe penalties. While some nonviolent crimes can still be felonies, the common thread is the more severe nature and harsher punishment compared with misdemeanors or infractions. In the context of professional regulation, a felony conviction can have serious consequences for licensure and the ability to practice, so understanding this term is important. The other descriptions describe much less serious matters—minor traffic violations, civil disputes resolved by fines, or acts outside the typical scope of crimes—so they don’t fit the standard concept of a felony.