CRIMES

Criminal Court Case

Categorical Approach

LOOKING BEYOND RECORD OF CONVICTION

ATTEMPT CRIMES

Post Conviction

Aggravated Felony

Modified Categorical Approach

CIMT

Aggravated Felony

Felony & Misdemeanor Defined

8 C.F.R. ยง 244.1 defines "felony" and "misdemeanor:"

Felony means a crime committed in the United States, punishable by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, regardless of the term such alien actually served, if any, except: When the offense is defined by the State as a misdemeanor and the sentence actually imposed is one year or less regardless of the term such alien actually served. Under this exception for purposes of section 244 of the Act, the crime shall be treated as a misdemeanor.

Misdemeanor means a crime committed in the United States, either

(l) Punishable by imprisonment for a term of one year or less, regardless of the term such alien actually served, if any, or

(2) A crime treated as a misdemeanor under the term "felony" of this section.

For purposes of this definition, any crime punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of five days or less shall not be considered a misdemeanor

CIMT | Crime Involving Moral Turpitude