D.U.I./Criminal and Traffic Defense Glossary Terms

One of a group of crimes found serious enough to warrant more than a year in prison (state or federal). Less serious offenses are known as misdemeanors. Offenses considered serious enough to be in the felony category will vary state by state and are sometimes further classified by the degree of the felony (class A or 1st degree, etc). Crimes commonly found in the felony category include murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, embezzlement, rape, treason, fraud, grand theft, arson, racketeering, some instances of drug possession, and the third or fourth O.V.I. conviction, depending on the state (in Ohio, the fourth conviction of O.V.I. is a felony). In addition to punishment for their crime(s), felons also lose rights in many states in the U.S., such as the right to vote, the right to run for public office, the right to obtain certain licenses, and the right to own or purchase firearms. A felony conviction will also make it difficult to find meaningful employment.