What is a felony charge?

A felony charge is a charge to an individual alleging the person has committed a serious crime against a person, property or the state. A person convicted of a felony often serves a prison sentence, is charged a fine or receives a combination of both prison time and a fine.

Examples of felony charges are murder, rape, arson and assault, which includes threatening physical violence with the use of a weapon. Battery is a felony charge that typically occurs when an individual causes physical harm to another person through physical force or through the use of a weapon. Lesser crimes are deemed misdemeanors.