Felonies and Misdemeanors

• At the state level, a felony is defined as any crime for which one may be incarcerated for a year or more in a state prison and for which a fine of $1,000 or more may be imposed. A misdemeanor is any crime for which the punishment is up to one year in a county jail or correctional facility and by a fine of $500, but less than $1,000. Misdemeanors and felonies are further classified into levels, or degrees, based upon the offense.
  
  

Degrees of Offenses

• Felonies are punishable by imprisonment in a state penitentiaryThinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  There are usually two degrees of misdemeanors: first and second. A first degree misdemeanor is for a crime considered to be more serious than a second degree misdemeanor, but one that does not rise to the level of a felony. Often, a second or subsequent offense will rise to the level of a first degree misdemeanor. Felonies are classified as first, second or third degrees, again depending on the severity of the crime.
  
  

Getting the Third Degree

• The various degrees of offenses may be referred to in full, as in "2nd degree misdemeanor" or in an abbreviated form, such as "M2." An F2 felony, then, is simply a 2nd degree felony. Often, criminal offenses will increase in severity if there are aggravating circumstances. For example, burglary is a 3rd degree, or "F3" felony in many states. If other circumstances exist, such as the house or business is occupied at the time the offense is committed, or if a weapon is used, the offense will be raised a level to an "F2" felony or higher if someone is injured during the commission of the crime.
  
  

Sentencing

• The degree of felony determines the extent of punishment possible if convicted of the crime. The sentencing terms will vary from state to state. In Florida, for example, a F2 felony is punishable by imprisonment of between five and 15 years. F3 felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison, and F1 felonies may receive up to 30 years. Even more severe are life felonies, which carry life imprisonment, and capital felonies, for which the punishment may include death.