This is an excellent point, aka “felony-flation.” In days of yesteryear, the “felony” class of crime was reserved to those acts which were considered worthy of a possible death penalty. A death penalty sentence was not a foregone conclusion upon conviction for such crimes, but was always possible. It takes only a brief look at the criminological landscape today to find “felonies” for which the idea of a death penalty (ever) would fail the laugh test.
“In days of yesteryear, the “felony” class of crime was reserved to those acts which were considered worthy of a possible death penalty.”
Source please...