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Originally Posted by HarryT
I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean by "felony" - I don't think we use that word in Britain. If you tell me what it means, I'll tell you whether or not speeding is one!
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Felonies vs Misdemeanors
Felonies are "big crimes;" misdemeanors are "small crimes." (I think the federal/local split mentioned is inaccurate, but I am not a lawyer.)
Felonies are punishable by more than a year in prison, or by death. Misdemeanors are punishable by less than a year in jail (if it's more than a year, it's prison; they're different places) and/or a fine.
Infractions are smaller still--not punishable by incarceration at all, and often have small fines attached. Most infractions are local ordinance violations, and very few people believe they have anything to do with morality. (Parking violations are infractions. Doing business without a license can be an infraction.)
Parking in the wrong place: Infraction
Speeding; Reckless driving: Misdemeanor
Injuring or killing someone while driving: Felony
Exact details vary by state; there are also federal felonies. (DMCA violations are federal.)