Which statement best defines a felony?

• A. A crime punishable by confinement in a state penitentiary.
• B. A crime punishable by a fine only.
• C. A crime punished by probation.
• D. A crime that is a misdemeanor.

Answer: (A)

A felony is the more serious category of crime, defined by the potential for substantial prison time. In Virginia and many states, felonies are offenses punishable by confinement in a state penitentiary—prison time longer than a year. This distinguishes felonies from crimes that are punished only by fines or by a combination of punishment that doesn’t involve state prison. Probation is a possible sentence for both felonies and misdemeanors, so it doesn’t define a felony on its own. A misdemeanor is the less serious category, typically involving shorter jail time or fines, not confinement in a state penitentiary. So the statement describing confinement in a state penitentiary best captures what a felony is.