What is the definition of a felony?

A felony is defined as a crime that is punishable by more than one year in prison. This definition is significant because felonies encompass serious offenses that have a lasting impact on the offender's life, including potential loss of civil rights, employment difficulties, and long-term social consequences.

Understanding this distinction between felonies and other types of crimes is crucial in fields such as physical therapy, where professionals must adhere to ethical and legal standards. Comprehending the severity of a felony can influence everything from hiring practices within healthcare organizations to the legal responsibilities of a physical therapy technician.

In contrast, community service is typically associated with less serious offenses, and crimes punishable by one year or less are classified as misdemeanors, which do not carry the same level of consequence as felonies. A type of misdemeanor suggests a category that is lesser than a felony, reinforcing the importance of recognizing the implications of committing higher-level crimes.