LexBrew
Usage Entry 1396 / 1605 60-second read

Felony vs. Misdemeanor

A serious crime (typically over a year in prison) versus a minor crime (typically under).

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

Jaywalking is a felony.

✓ Correct

Jaywalking is a misdemeanor — felonies are serious crimes (murder, robbery). Misdemeanors are minor (jaywalking, petty theft).

The ruleii

FELONY = serious. MISDEMEANOR = minor.

In US law, FELONY is a serious crime carrying more than one year of prison time. MISDEMEANOR carries less. Specifics vary by state. UK English uses different categories (indictable, summary, hybrid offences).

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Felony = jail. Misdemeanor = fine + days.

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