Felony / misdemeanor
U.S. Naturalization Test (2025 Standard) glossary · Course Foundations
Definition
Serious crime / lesser crime.
Felony / misdemeanor in plain English
These are two levels of crime, sorted by how serious they are. A felony is a big, serious crime (like robbery or major fraud) that can send someone to prison for more than a year; a misdemeanor is a smaller offense (like petty theft or a minor traffic crime) usually punished by a fine or under a year in jail. Think of it like a report card for wrongdoing: a felony is the 'F,' a misdemeanor is more like a 'D.' This matters for citizenship because certain crimes, especially felonies, can hurt or even block your case, so honesty about your record is essential.
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