What is the difference between a felony offense and a misdemeanor?
All criminal offenses are either felonies or misdemeanors. Generally felonies are the more serious offenses and can lead to punishment such as confinement in a state correctional facility or even death. In addition, an individual convicted of a felony loses certain civil liberties. All other criminal offenses are misdemeanors. Even though a person convicted of a misdemeanor may not be punished as severely as one convicted of a felony, a misdemeanor conviction could still result in up to a year in jail.
