What term describes a crime that may result in death or imprisonment for over one year?

The term that describes a crime that may result in death or imprisonment for over one year is "felony." Felonies are serious offenses that typically involve severe consequences, including lengthy prison sentences or even the possibility of capital punishment, depending on the nature of the crime and the jurisdiction’s laws. This classification signifies the severity of the crime, and it usually encompasses a wide range of offenses, including violent crimes, serious property crimes, and certain drug-related offenses.

In contrast, misdemeanors are less severe violations that generally result in shorter jail time, often less than one year, and smaller fines. Battery refers specifically to an unlawful physical act that causes harm to another person, while defamation involves false statements that harm someone's reputation. Both battery and defamation, although serious in their own right, do not fall into the category of crimes that typically lead to more than one year of imprisonment. This contextual understanding reinforces why felony is the correct classification for the type of crime in question.