Felony << FEHL uh nee >> is a crime for which punishment is death or imprisonment for a year or more. Some legal authorities may also impose fines or require restitution (payment for loss) from someone who has been convicted of a felony. Felonies include murder, robbery, burglary, kidnapping, treason, and certain other serious crimes. A violation of law less serious is called a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine or jail sentence (see Misdemeanor).
A person directly injured by a felony may agree not to prosecute in return for some payment or other valuable consideration. For example, a person may promise not to prosecute a thief who returns the stolen goods. This is called compounding a felony and is a crime punishable by fine or imprisonment.
