'severe crimes' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a range of actions that are regarded as particularly serious and illegal, for example: "Some of the most severe crimes in this country include murder, rape and aggravated assault."
Upholding her sentence this year, a court in eastern Zhejiang province said she had "brought huge losses to the nation and people with her severe crimes, and should therefore be severely punished".
Severe crimes committed were punishable by the severing of a foot or hand.
American student Otto Warmbier has been sentenced to 15 years' hard labour for "severe crimes" against the North Korean state.
Under Wisconsin law, suspects at least 10 years of age must be charged as adults in severe crimes.
Two recent beheadings were for dealing amphetamines, which is not among the severe crimes for which international law still permits the death penalty.
Amid growing security concerns, the authorities said they would review the furlough rights of Greeks serving prison time for terrorism and other severe crimes.
Still, some soccer experts insisted that spitting was the game's most severe crime.
Rome has far less severe crime -- homicides, rapes or violent robberies -- than such other European capitals as Berlin or London.
In addition, some lawmakers have proposed using global positioning systems to track convicted burglars after their release and classifying home invasion as a more severe crime.
Mr. Lahem has had run-ins with Saudi authorities since he represented three Saudis who were jailed in 2003 for calling for a constitutional monarchy, a severe crime in a country where the power of the royal family is absolute.
Local authorities had previously detained the two organizers on charges of illegally organizing demonstrations, a much less severe crime that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
