C. A serious crime usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
Listen
to pronunciation.Legal Definition -
A serious crime usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death. Examples include burglary, arson, rape, and murder. -- Also termed major crime or serious crime.
Black's Law Dictionary® Eighth Edition © 2004
Recent Usage -
The Court of Appeals in Albany, N.Y., Thursday reinstated six felony counts against former New York Supreme Court Justice Gerald P. Garson with a precedential ruling that judges can face criminal prosecution for acts that started with a violation of the Rules of Judicial Conduct. Thursday's 6-1 opinion means the former judge accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks from a divorce lawyer is once again confronted with the full panoply of felony charges lodged against him following a sting operation initiated by Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes' office. Read more... John Caher New York Law Journal March 31, 2006