What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

In Texas, a felony is a much more serious criminal offense than a misdemeanor. Felonies are normally punishable with a sentence of one year or more in prison and/or a large fine. Examples of felonies include murder, rape, armed robbery, and theft of property worth more than $2,500. Misdemeanors, on the other hand, are less serious offenses punishable with a maximum sentence of 12 months in jail and/or a smaller fine. Misdemeanors include minor theft, vandalism, and public intoxication. In Texas, if a person is convicted of a felony, this conviction will stay on their criminal record for life. This means that having a felony conviction can negatively affect a person’s ability to get certain jobs or housing. In contrast, a misdemeanor conviction will remain on a person’s criminal record for a certain amount of time, but it will eventually be erased. This means that, over time, the misdemeanor conviction will have less of an impact on a person’s life.

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What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

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