Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of a felony?

A felony is generally defined by the severity of the crime and the potential penalties associated with it. Typically, a felony is characterized by a sentence of imprisonment that exceeds one year, which reflects the greater severity of these offenses compared to misdemeanors. Serious harm to individuals is also a key aspect of felonies, as these crimes often involve significant bodily injury or psychological damage to victims.

The primary distinction in this context lies in the incarceration duration. A jail term of one year or less falls within the realm of misdemeanors rather than felonies; misdemeanors are typically considered less severe offenses with lighter sentences. Therefore, the option indicating a jail term of one year or less does not align with the conventional features associated with felonies, confirming it as the correct answer to the question.