A felony crime is a serious offense punishable by a heavy sentence. The punishment is usually imprisonment but, in certain murder cases, the punishment could be death.
Felonies are more serious crimes than misdemeanors.
However, the same offense could be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on its degree. Petty larceny, which is stealing an item worth less than a certain dollar amount, is a misdemeanor. However, stealing an item over that dollar amount is considered grand theft, which is a felony. Some examples of common felonies are grand theft, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, and some drug offenses. If you are convicted of a felony you will lose many of your civil rights.