Under Massachusetts law, a felony is any offense punishable by a sentence to state prison. A misdemeanor is punishable only by a House of Correction sentence, a fine, or both. State prison sentences are served at Department of Correction facilities, while House of Correction sentences are served at county facilities and cap at two and a half years. Practically, felony status affects firearm rights, many professional licenses, immigration consequences, and long-term employment. A Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer will push for charge reduction from felony to misdemeanor when the facts support it, because the downstream consequences are night and day.
