Felony Guide

Classes of Felonies

What are the different classes of felonies? Do these vary by state? Which ones are the worst? How do I know which class of felony I've been charged with?

Vary by state
While most felonies involve serious crimes that carry a likely risk of incarceration, every state's laws classify the different types of felonies in some manner. Most commonly, state laws categorize felonies according to the severity of the crime and the potential punishment for that crime. In some states, each class of felony is assigned a number, with a Class 1 felony being the most serious crime, and a higher number class being the least serious crime.

Likewise, some states use a letter system to designate different classes of felonies. In those states, for example, you might find that a Class A felony is the most serious class of felony, whereas a Class D felony or a Class I felony is the least serious class of felony, depending on the number of felony categories or classes. Furthermore, some states recently have moved away from a system of dividing crimes into different categories of felonies and misdemeanors altogether. As a result, the classification of a certain felony can differ markedly from state to state.

Felonies by type
The types of crimes that fall within each class of felony also vary from state to state. Typically, the most serious or violent crimes with the potentially lengthiest sentences, such as murder and kidnapping, are categorized in the highest class of felonies for a particular state, such as a Class 1 or Class A felony. Nonetheless, there are some non-violent felonies, such as certain drug crimes, that may fall into this highest category of felonies, as well. Similarly, less serious crimes that still constitute felonies, such as theft or possession of a controlled substance, are classified as lower classes of felonies.

Beyond these generalities, however, some states classify and punish certain types of felonies differently than other states. For example, in states with "three strikes" criminal laws, which can result in very serious criminal charges and penalties if you commit your third felony crime, a crime that might be a lower class of felony in another state would belong to a much higher class of felony in these states under these circumstances.

How do you know what you've been charged with
If you have been charged with a felony, you should be sure and find out the class of felony with which you are charged. The class of felony will determine the minimum and maximum penalty and sentence that you face if you are convicted of that felony charge. Whenever you are charged with a crime, you must receive a copy of the charging document, or the document that sets out in detail the crime with which you are charged, as well as the statute or law that you are accused of violating; a charging document, depending on the state, may be referred to as a complaint, an information, or an indictment, among other terms.

At your initial hearing, or arraignment, it is likely that the court will read the charging document to you, as well, so that you are properly advised of your rights under the Constitution. By examining the document that charges you with a crime, and listening to the judge's description of the charges against you at the initial hearing, you should be able to determine with which class of felony you have charged.

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How can i find out what the outcome of a case will be for a person that has been chasrge with 79 grams of cocaine.

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Alice Harris
Wednesday, December 28, 2011

charge for forging signature on legal document

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bev
Sunday, October 30, 2011

I was arrested for farnishing prohibited articles into a jail in 08. I just found out today that I had a warrent for my arresst eventhough after calling the clerks office

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eddie
Monday, October 24, 2011



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kyle
Saturday, October 15, 2011

My son, Steven, was sentenced last year to 16 years in prison for being in possession of less than 5 grams of crack. HE WAS SENTENCED TO A MANDATORY MINIMUM OF 16 YEARS! The problem with this sentence is that he was not arrested for possessing of selling drugs. He was arrested and taken to the Sullivan County (Tennessee) Jail for not having a driving license/suspended license. The drugs were found on him during a strip search in intake. How did he end up with a conviction for selling drugs w/in 1000' of a school?






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steven mabry
Sunday, October 9, 2011

We need someone with the expertise to reach out and help our son.

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Steven Mabry
Sunday, October 9, 2011

I took criminal law and community corrections for 4 years and been in trouble myself I might really be able to help email me taylor.stoneham@yahoo.com or taylormaid14@uscellular.blackberry.com

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taylor
Saturday, January 21, 2012

We need someone with the expertise to reach out and help our son.

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Steven Mabry
Sunday, October 9, 2011

We need someone with the expertise to reach out and help our son.

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Steven Mabry
Sunday, October 9, 2011

We need someone with the expertise to reach out and help our son.

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Steven Mabry
Sunday, October 9, 2011

what type of felony is App to revoke probation? Person was initially charged with a DWI with child endangerment and put on probation but served none of her probation. What are the possible consequences in the state of texas

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rose
Tuesday, August 9, 2011

I have a felony hot hot check on my record did no jail time paid restitution and it has been 8 years i have been in no trouble and had no new offenses in that time i still am having trouble gettin a job because of this i need to know how to get this expunged from my record

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jeremy Akins
Sunday, July 31, 2011

My friend went to prison 2 times for writing a bunch of hot and bad checks...she has worked at Safeway and Jack in the Box since she got out. She is tatted all over, too, so it's obvious. Tell the truth...that's what she did. If you are qualified for the job, you will get it. Felonies aren't always the reason. INTERVIEWS can be!

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Tami
Wednesday, September 28, 2011

I was arrested for driving on a revoked it was a misdemeaner and now is a felony I did have an attorney but he wants 3500 hundred more also at the time of my arrest I had permits to drive I give up

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bob
Sunday, July 17, 2011

I have a Class U felony from Wisconsin (I was told there is no such thing but believe me I have one) and I am wondering how a Class U felony ranks among other felonies.. such as Class A/1 would be the worst.. so what is a U?

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jen
Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Class U represents "unclassified" crimes, so the rankings vary.

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idkwhattoput
Sunday, July 10, 2011

i am 34 yrs old and in my early 20s i was arrested for having a minor out after cerfew. contributing to a minor..what class is that?

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billyjo scharr
Sunday, May 8, 2011

misdemenor as long as you didnt do nothin with him/her

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

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