What is a Felony?
A felony generally refers to the most serious crimes punishable under state laws that would be punishable by death or imprisonment in a state penitentiary. State laws may classify felonies for the purpose of sentencing into categories similar to the following:
 | Capital felony. | | Life felony. | | Felony of the first degree. | | Felony of the second degree. | | Felony of the third degree. |
State laws define what crimes are considered felonies. The penalties usually vary by degree and are differentiated by the maximum prison term and/or type of facility where the sentence will be served. Important Notice
This information is generic. It is compiled from the laws of several states and may or may not apply to this particular city, county, state or your individual circumstances. State laws vary and are continuously changing. This information does not necessarily reflect the laws in Pennsylvania. It is not intended to be a source of legal advice or a substitute for qualified legal counsel. Your access to and use of this web site is subject to additional terms and conditions found in our Terms of Use. Please read it now.
Where can I get legal advice about my Criminal Law matter or case?
If you have a Criminal Law matter or case and you want legal advice for your specific situation, please contact the law firm below to schedule a free consultation or click on the ad to learn more. | 
Using the Criminal Law Help Center - Y
Search for a Specific Legal Issue - We've included a powerful text search feature that lets you search every page in the 
