felonization

felonization (uncountable)

1. The act of criminalizing an act as a felony.
   • 2011, Elana Zilberg, Space of Detention: The Making of a Transnational Gang Crisis Between Los Angeles and San Salvador, Duke University Press (→ISBN), page 8:

     [...] felonization of nonviolent offenses has required extensive new construction of prisons, which involves large government contracts with private companies.

   • 1995, The Computer Lawyer:

     With the felonization of software infringement, the hoped-for enforcement activity has been realized, with a number of software piracy prosecutions having been initiated since the legislation was enacted.

2. The act of making a previously non-felon a felon.
   • January 2014, The Felonization of America Right on Crime:

     With an avalanche of state-based initiatives to reform the criminal justice system, it is easy to ignore happenings at the federal level. Unfortunately, the felonization of America continues virtually unnoticed. Federal statutes with vast reach put millions of Americans at risk of being fined or imprisoned, with much damage already done. Cambridge Attorney Harvey Silverglate has thoroughly documented this federal over-criminalization, and his conclusions are frightening. Silverglate estimates that the average American commits three felonies a day!

   • April 2014, DOJ should end 'felonization' of undocumented workers, The Hill:

     The Department of Justice should cease the mass “felonization” of thousands undocumented workers across the U.S. It's wrong to prosecute

• criminalization
• misdemeanorization
• felonize