Definition and Classification of Felony
– Felony is a crime of high seriousness, while misdemeanor is less serious.
– The term felony originated from English common law to describe an offense that resulted in the confiscation of a convicted person’s land and goods.
– In many common law jurisdictions, crimes are no longer classified as felonies or misdemeanors.
– Instead, serious crimes are classified as indictable offenses, and less serious crimes as summary offenses.
– In the United States, a felony is a crime punishable by death or imprisonment for more than one year.
– Crimes punishable by one year or less are classified as misdemeanors.
– Some states classify crimes based on factors such as seriousness or context.
– Felonies in the United States can be classified into various classes according to their seriousness and potential punishment.
– Each state legislature determines the maximum punishment allowable for each felony class.
Examples of Felonies
– Felonies may include offenses such as aggravated assault or battery, arson, burglary, fraud, and identity theft.
– Other examples include illegal drug trade, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, perjury, rape/sexual assault, and robbery/extortion.
– Possession of controlled substances or deadly weapons can be considered a felony depending on the circumstances.
– Certain DUI cases involving bodily injury or property damage above a certain amount can be classified as felonies.
– Vandalism on federal property and threatening an official are also considered felonies.
Consequences and Restoration of Rights
– Felons in the United States can face long-term legal consequences even after imprisonment.
– The status and designation as a felon are considered permanent and not extinguished upon sentence completion.
– Restoration of rights may be possible through successful appeal or executive clemency.
– However, certain rights may be permanently lost for felons, such as the right to possess firearms.
– Some felons may qualify for the restoration of certain rights after a specific period.
– Consequences of felony convictions include disenfranchisement, exclusion from obtaining certain licenses and visas, ineligibility to hold office in a labor union, exclusion from purchasing firearms, ammunition, and body armor, and ineligibility to serve on a jury.
Barriers to Employment and Housing
– Job and rental applications often ask about felony history.
– Dishonesty on applications can lead to rejection or termination.
– Discrimination against felons in hiring and housing decisions is legal.
– Many landlords refuse to rent to felons.
– Felony convictions may prevent employment in banking or finance.
Felony Laws in Other Jurisdictions
– Felony Laws in Cameroon: In Cameroon, a felony is a crime with a maximum sentence of over 10 years or death. Felonies are distinguished from misdemeanors and offenses. Felonies are tried before a high court. Cameroon’s penal code set the felony threshold higher than French or Nigerian law, reducing the number of felonies and crimes subject to trial by jury.
– Felony Laws in England and Wales: Felony historically referred to crimes resulting in forfeiture of lands or goods. The death penalty for felony could be avoided by pleading benefit of clergy. Criminal law reform reduced the number of capital offenses. Felony and misdemeanor distinctions were abolished by the Criminal Law Act 1967. Crimes are now classified as indictable or summary offenses.Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony
