You might have heard of the term felony within criminal trials. But not exactly sure of the meaning of the term.
A felony is defined as an offense that is punishable by more than one year of imprisonment or a death sentence.
In this article, we will discuss what is felony and what is a felony charge and warrant in the USA.
What Is A Felony Charge In The USA?
A felony charge is a crime that is considered a serious offense compared with a less serious misdemeanor.
In the United States, felony charges are crimes that are generally known to have punishments that usually involve more than one year of confinement.
A crime can also be considered a felony if the prisoner receives imprisonment of less than a year.
The imprisonment of prisoners related to crimes categorized as felonies falls under the jurisdiction of a state prison.
Consequences Of A Convicted Felon In The USA
Convicted felons in the USA are known to face severe consequences.
The consequences that are faced by convicted felons include:
- Losing voting rights
- Barred from jury duty
- Loss of professional license
- Difficulty in acquiring employment and housing opportunities
Classification Of Convicted Felons In The USA
Felonies in the US are classified as violent or non-violent.
Violent felonies are characterized by the presence of elements of force or threat or both against an individual.
Most felonies have state-wise categorization in the United States. These categorizations are ranked based on severity and corresponding imprisonment and fine frameworks.
Moreover, some states are known to categorize felonies, while others might have individual guidelines for specific crimes.
There are also states that follow a mixed approach towards imprisonment and fines related to felonies.
What Is A Felony Warrant In The USA?
A warrant is a legal document that is usually issued by a judge after making consideration of evidence which is provided by law enforcement officers.
A felony warrant in the United States is a kind of arrest warrant that is issued by a court.
The felony warrant provides the authorization for the recognition and arrest of an individual who has been convicted of attempting a felony offense.
Specifically, a felony warrant must include a signed affidavit of the committed offense. Along with the name of the accused.
In many cases, when there is a suspect of a felony being committed and if law enforcement has witnessed the crime- a felony warrant is not required.
This is because the law enforcement officer has the capacity to arrest the individual involved in a felony crime based on ‘probable cause.’
So, the warrants that are issued for arresting an individual involved in felonies are sent by the court of law.
This is especially for cases that involve a suspect actively evading capture from law enforcement officers.
Another circumstance that leads to the call for a felony warrant is when the victim or witness of a crime has reported the occurrence of a felony.
A felony warrant becomes crucial for such cases when it is vital for law enforcement officers to know about the wanted suspect. This is because it is crucial to alert law enforcement officers to know that a suspect has committed a felony.
Felony warrants are not always subject to forcible arrests. As the suspect has the capacity to contact the law enforcement agency to arrange their surrender.
Further, a felony warrant does not have any expiring date. It stays valid until the arrest has been made or a counter-decision has been stated by the court.
The Most Common Kinds Of Felonies In The USA
There are a variety of crimes against persons and properties that are considered felonies in the United States.
The most common kinds of felonies in the USA are listed below:
- Drug-related crimes
Felonies related to drugs include possession, sale, or manufacturing of drugs.
The severity of the crimes depends on the state-specific criterias. These include the kind and quantity of drugs that are sold, trafficked, or distributed.
This kind of felony can lead to jail imprisonment or heavy fines.
- Property Crimes
Property crimes that are defined as felonies are burglary, theft, destruction of property, and arson.
Penalties depend on the basis of state-regulated laws along with the monetary value of the property destroyed or stolen.
- Violent Crimes
Crimes like murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, robbery, and sexual harassment are defined as violent crimes.
Penalties could include upto 20 to 60 years in prison for first-degree murder and other kinds of aggravated assaults.
Fines upto $25,000 are also observed in terms of felonies defined as violent crimes.
There are other varieties of crimes that are classified as felonies in the USA. However, these three kinds are the most common kinds of felonies that occur in the region.
And It’s A Wrap On Felonies In The USA!
Now you know what a felony is in the United States. A felony is any serious crime that has been committed by an individual within the region.
Additionally, a felony is also a crime that has a punishment of more than a year in imprisonment or a death sentence.
A felony within the United States is classified into two kinds, which are violent and non-violent.
Persons who are convicted of the charge of committing a felony are wanted by the issuance of a felony warrant that the court issues.
The felony warrant is only applicable when the victim or witness of the crime has reported the incident. However, a law enforcement officer witnessing a felony has the right to arrest in terms of probable cause.
So, if you are being charged or convicted of a felony, it is advisable that you take advice and guidance from a professional criminal defense lawyer.
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