Legal Definitions - substantive felony

A substantive felony is a serious crime that is punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. It is a violation of the law that involves a significant harm to society or an individual.

Examples of substantive felonies include murder, rape, robbery, and drug trafficking. These crimes are considered to be more severe than misdemeanors or petty offenses, which are punishable by less than one year in jail.

For instance, murder is a substantive felony because it involves the intentional killing of another person, which is a grave harm to society. Drug trafficking is also a substantive felony because it involves the distribution of illegal drugs, which can cause harm to individuals and communities.

Substantive felonies are different from inchoate offenses, which are crimes that involve an incomplete or attempted act, such as conspiracy or attempt.