Felon Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Felon, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Felon?

n. Someone who was convicted of a felony. A felony is a crime that results in time spent in state or federal prison, or a death sentence.

History and Meaning of Felon

A felon is an individual who has been convicted of committing a serious crime, usually referred to as a felony. The term felony comes from the Latin word "felonia" which means treachery or crime. In common law, felonies were offenses that were punishable by death or forfeiture of property. Over time, the definition of a felony has changed, but it remains a serious criminal offense that carries significant legal consequences. Being labeled a felon can have long-standing repercussions on a person's life, such as difficulty finding employment, housing, and even voting rights.

Examples of Felon

  1. John was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. He is now considered a felon.
  2. Mike was arrested for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a felony offense.
  3. Maria was convicted of embezzling money from her employer, a felony offense that resulted in a prison sentence.
  4. Joe pled guilty to bank robbery, a felony offense that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
  5. Samantha was convicted of a felony DUI, which caused a fatal car accident.

Legal Terms Similar to Felon

  1. Misdemeanor - A less severe criminal offense that is punishable by a fine or up to one year in jail.
  2. Parole - The conditional release of an offender from prison before the end of their sentence.
  3. Probation - A sentence whereby the offender is allowed to remain in the community under the supervision of a probation officer.
  4. Sentence - The punishment or penalty imposed by a court on a person convicted of a crime.
  5. Incarceration - The act of being confined in a jail or prison.