What distinguishes a felony from a misdemeanor?

The distinction between a felony and a misdemeanor primarily revolves around the seriousness of the offense. Felonies are typically more severe crimes that can result in substantial consequences, including lengthy prison sentences or significant fines. These offenses often involve serious harm to individuals or property, and can include crimes like murder, robbery, and sexual assault.

Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are less severe crimes that usually result in lighter penalties, such as shorter jail sentences, probation, or smaller fines. Common examples of misdemeanors might include petty theft or simple assault.

While the other options touch on aspects of the legal process, they do not define the core difference between felonies and misdemeanors. The degree of seriousness of an offense directly informs the legal classification and the penalties associated with it. This makes the seriousness of the offense the most pivotal factor in distinguishing between these two categories of crime.