felon

This term carries a heavy legal and social stigma, designating someone who has committed a crime of significant severity. It is primarily used in legal contexts or news reporting to categorize a person's status within the justice system, often implying a permanent mark on their record that affects civil rights. In American English, the term specifically refers to those convicted of felonies as opposed to misdemeanors. While it can describe someone currently serving a sentence, it is frequently used to describe the status of an individual after their release, highlighting the ongoing legal restrictions they face.