What is a felony charge?
A felony is any criminal offense that is punishable under Florida laws, or that would be punishable if committed in Florida, by death or imprisonment in a state correctional facility. Felony charges include, but are not limited to murder, manslaughter, robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated child abuse, sexual battery, kidnapping, burglary, grand theft, battery on law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, willful or aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer, possession and/or sale of drugs, communication fraud, forgery, and passing worthless bank checks. Felonies are classified into five categories, based on severity of the crime: • Capital Felonies, punishable by death or life in prison; • Life Felonies, punishable by life in prison; • First Degree Felonies, punishable by up to 30 years in prison; • Second Degree Felonies, punishable by up to 15 years in prison; and, • Third Degree Felonies, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
