What defines a felony?

A felony is specifically defined as a serious crime that is punishable by imprisonment for over one year or by death. This classification of crime involves more severe offenses than misdemeanors and can include acts such as murder, rape, and robbery, among others. The severity of felonies is reflected in the potential consequences, which include long-term imprisonment, significant fines, and, in some jurisdictions, capital punishment.

The other options focus on lesser classifications of crime. For instance, a minor crime, as described in the first choice, typically refers to misdemeanors that carry lighter penalties like fines or short-term jail time. Community service, mentioned in another option, is often part of penalties for lower-level offenses rather than felonies. Moreover, a non-violent offense, while it could potentially be classified as a felony depending on the jurisdiction and specifics of the crime, does not define what constitutes a felony as it may encompass both violent and non-violent crimes. Therefore, those categories do not accurately reflect the grave nature and consequences associated with felonies.