major felony

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major felony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a serious crime that is typically punishable by significant penalties, such as imprisonment. Example: "The defendant was charged with a major felony, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence if convicted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

It's a major felony.

The New Yorker

Three major felony cases have been brought against officers.

The New York Times

Prosecuted all major felony crimes including murder, robbery, sexual assaults drugs, assaults, domestic violence, theft.

Cornell University

"Why they're pursuing it like a major felony feels like serious overkill to me".

The New York Times

This is not an unusual practice; combining major felony charges with conspiracy charges can make convictions easier to obtain.

The New Yorker

Also, there's no jury: the defendant is tried by judges unless the accusation is of a major felony.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In comparison, New York City reported almost 95,000 major felonies last year.

The New York Times

The mayor recently declared 2011 the 21st straight year in which major felonies fell.

The New York Times

The Police Department has begun to praise the low overall number of major felonies tracked by the F.B.I.

The New York Times

Misdemeanors rose to 385,666 last year, from 357,322 in 2005, while major felonies dropped to 105,594 from 135,475 in the same period.

The New York Times

New Yorkers for Parks, an advocacy group, reported in 2008 that half of the city's 20 largest parks had five or fewer major felonies in 18 months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal writing, be specific. While "major felony" is understood, specifying the exact type of felony (e.g., armed robbery, aggravated assault) provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "major felony" for lesser offenses. Misclassifying a crime can lead to legal inaccuracies and misinterpretations. Always verify the correct legal classification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major felony" functions as a noun phrase, where "major" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "felony". It describes the severity or significance of a criminal offense. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this usage in legal and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "major felony" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe severe criminal offenses. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to classify and categorize such acts, with a neutral register suitable for legal, news, and academic contexts. While variations like "serious criminal offense" or "aggravated felony" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately to reflect the gravity of the crime. Therefore, understanding the legal implications and context is essential for its appropriate use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious criminal offense

Replaces 'major felony' with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing the gravity and legality of the act.

aggravated felony

Uses 'aggravated' to modify the felony, indicating that the crime involved aggravating circumstances.

grave crime

Uses 'grave' instead of 'major' to highlight the seriousness of the crime.

severe criminal act

Substitutes 'felony' with 'criminal act' and uses 'severe' for emphasis.

significant offense

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the offense rather than its legal classification.

major indictable offense

Uses the term 'indictable offense' common in some jurisdictions instead of 'felony'.

serious breach of law

Focuses on the violation of the law's standards with the use of 'serious'.

high-level crime

Replaces 'major' with 'high-level' to indicate significance in the criminal hierarchy.

capital offense

Denotes crimes punishable by death, representing the highest level of severity.

heinous crime

Replaces 'major' with 'heinous' to emphasize the abhorrent nature of the crime.

FAQs

How is "major felony" typically used in a sentence?

You'll often see "major felony" used as a descriptor for charges or convictions, such as "He was charged with a "major felony"" or "The conviction was for a "major felony"."

What are some alternative ways to say "major felony"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "serious criminal offense", "aggravated felony", or "grave crime" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a legal definition of "major felony"?

While "major felony" isn't always a precisely defined legal term, it generally refers to felonies that carry the most severe penalties, such as lengthy prison sentences or substantial fines. The specific definition can vary by jurisdiction.

What distinguishes a "major felony" from a misdemeanor?

The key difference lies in the severity of the crime and the potential punishment. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses that usually result in fines or short jail sentences, while a "major felony" involves more serious crimes and longer prison terms.