Editing Felony (section)

=== Classification by seriousness ===
In much of the United States, all or most felonies are placed into one of various classes according to their seriousness and their potential punishment upon conviction. The number of classifications and the corresponding crimes vary by state and are determined by the legislature. Usually, the legislature also determines the maximum punishment allowable for each felony class; doing so avoids the necessity of defining specific sentences for every possible crime. For example:
* [[Virginia]] classifies most felonies by number,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://leg1.state.va.us/000/cod/18.2-10.HTM|title=§ 18.2-10. Punishment for conviction of felony; penalty.|website=Leg1.state.va.us|access-date=19 November 2017}}</ref> ranging from Class 6 (least severe: 1 to 5 years in prison or up to 12 months in jail) through Class 2 (20 years to life, ''e.g.'', first-degree murder and aggravated malicious [[wounding]]) up to Class 1 ([[life imprisonment]]). Some felonies remain outside the classification system.
* [[New York (state)|New York State]] classifies felonies by letter, with some classes divided into sub-classes by a Roman numeral; classes range from Class E (encompassing the least severe felonies) through Classes D, C, B, and A–II up to Class A–I (encompassing the most severe).
* [[Massachusetts]] classifies a felony as an offense that carries any prison time.
* [[Ohio]] classifies felonies by degree ranging from first, second, third, fourth, to fifth degree. First-degree felonies are the most serious category, while fifth-degree felonies are the least serious. This is broadly the approach taken by the [[Model Penal Code]], although the Code identifies only three degrees of felony.<ref>MPC § 6.01</ref>
* In [[Texas]], all felonies are more severe than either infractions or [[misdemeanor]]s and are classified in capital felonies, first degree felonies, second degree felonies, third degree felonies and State jail felonies.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Texas Felonies |url=https://mac.harriscountytx.gov/about-texas-felonies |website=mac.harriscountytx.gov |publisher=Office of Managed Assigned Counsel, Harris County, Texas |access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>

Some felonies are classified as [[forcible felony|forcible]] or violent, typically because they contain some element of force or a threat of force against a person and are subject to additional penalties. [[Burglary]] is also classified as a forcible felony in some jurisdictions including Illinois<ref>{{ILCS|720|5/2-8}}</ref> and Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |url =  https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/776.08 |accessdate = 2022-06-08 |title = Chapter 776 Section 08 - 2011 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate}}</ref>
:"The [[common law]] divided participants in a felony into four basic categories: (1) first-degree principals, those who committed the crime in question; (2) second-degree principals, aiders and [[abettor]]s present at the scene of the crime; (3) [[Accessory (legal term)|accessories]] before the fact, aiders and abettors who helped the principal before the basic criminal event took place; and (4) accessories after the fact, persons who helped the principal after the basic criminal event took place. In the course of the 20th century, however, American jurisdictions eliminated the distinction among the first three categories." ''Gonzales v. Duenas-Alvarez'', {{ussc|source=j|549|183|2007|pin=}} (citations omitted).