Understanding the Word "Felon"

As an editor, I'm always concerned with the accurate use of words. It's my job to make sure that writers are using correct terms to communicate their ideas. In recent months, I've heard the word "felon" tossed around and wondered, since this is a legal term, exactly what the definition of "felon" is. A little Google research brought me to Nolo's Plain English Law Dictionary, which defines "felon" as "a person who has been convicted of a felony, which is a serious crime punishable by imprisonment or, for the most serious felonies, death."

And what, exactly, is a "felony" then? "In the United States, where the felony/misdemeanor distinction is still widely applied, the federal government defines a felony as a crime punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year."

So my brief research would indicate that to call someone who has not been formally charged, tried, and convicted of a felony a "felon" is premature. It all ties in with the legal principle (which is based on the principle of biblical law--see Deuteronomy 19:15 for one example) that a person is innocent until proven guilty. To publicly denounce such a person as a felon would be slanderous, and slander, as many of us know, is defined as "the utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another's reputation." Christians, especially, need to understand this because they would not want to be found guilty of slander, a breach of the ninth commandment.

My research has demonstrated that in the context in which I've been hearing the word "felon," it has been used inaccurately, as it has been directed against a person who has not been formally charged, tried, and convicted of a felony--one who has been interviewed by legal authorities who have determined that any charges against this person are baseless. Therefore, legal authorities are taking no action because there is no evidence to suggest he or she has committed a felony or done anything illegal at all.

As Christians, we must choose our words carefully to ensure that they accurately reflect the truth so that we are not guilty of breaking the ninth commandment and damaging another person's reputation. Someone, in our opinion, may exhibit poor judgment or take an action that we dislike, but that doesn't make him or her a felon, and it certainly is not a basis for publicly defaming him or her.

From the Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 143-145:

Question 143: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Question 144: What are the duties required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The duties required in the ninth commandment are, the preserving and promoting of truth between man and man, and the good name of our neighbor, as well as our own; appearing and standing for the truth; and from the heart, sincerely, freely, clearly, and fully, speaking the truth, and only the truth, in matters of judgment and justice, and in all other things: Whatsoever; a charitable esteem of our neighbors; loving, desiring, and rejoicing in their good name; sorrowing for, and covering of their infirmities; freely acknowledging of their gifts and graces, defending their innocency; a ready receiving of a good report, and unwillingness to admit of an evil report, concerning them; discouraging talebearers, flatterers, and slanderers; love and care of our own good name, and defending it when need requires; keeping of lawful promises; studying and practicing of: Whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.

Question 145: What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calls for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful and equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of truth or justice;speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, tale bearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults;hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession;unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any, endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering: What we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.