Some felony crimes are violent, such as rape and murder. Alternatively, they may cause substantial economic damages but no bodily harm, such as arson and counterfeiting. Treason is also a felony, though in most nations prosecutions are rare.
What is considered a felony crime varies from one jurisdiction to another. There are some offenses that are generally considered to be felonies, such as rape. This is a crime that involves forcing a person to engage in sexual intercourse. In some places, forced sexual contact falls under this category. This may include actions such as forced oral stimulation, given or received, and unwanted contact with a person's genitals.
Murder, the unlawful taking of another individual's life, is also commonly a felony crime. There are often different degrees of murder, which determine how malicious an offense is. Although each degree may have different penalties, a conviction of any sort is generally a felony.
Robbery is also generally considered a felony crime. This offense involves a combination of violence and theft. It is important to note, however, that it is not usually necessary for anyone to get hurt for a person to be convicted of this crime. Robbery is considered violent because weapons are used to induce fear or victims are made to believe that the perpetrators possess weapons, resulting in the same effect.
Counterfeiting is an offense when unauthorized copies are made. This felony crime commonly involves individuals producing fake money, which may be used to acquire goods or be exchanged for legitimate money. Other items that are counterfeited include checks, credit cards, and artwork. This offense can result in a substantial amount of economic harm.
Arson is another common example of a felony crime, and it involves the act of intentionally setting fire to things. For example, an arsonist may start a forest fire in a national park or burn down abandoned buildings in a city. This offense can also cause a lot of economic harm.
Treason is a felony crime that arises when a person is disloyal to his nation. There are numerous acts that can qualify as treason, depending upon citizenship. In some countries, the murder, attempted murder, or serious injury of royalty or high-ranking government officials may qualify. A citizen who attempts to wage war against his own nation or who aids in others' efforts to do so may be convicted of this offense. Providing a foreign nation with military secrets, technology, or equipment that can be used to jeopardize the security of a citizen's own nation may also qualify as treason.