Felonies are the most serious criminal offenses that you could be charged with. They are more serious than violations and misdemeanors. There are, however, different classes of felonies that range in severity.
- Class A-I: maximum term of life in prison, with a minimum term between 15 and 25 years (or longer for certain charges of murder or attempted murder)
- ex. arson, aggravated murder, and kidnapping.
- Class A-II: maximum life sentence, with a minimum between three years and eight years plus four months (or longer for predatory sexual assault)
- ex. illegal possession of at least four ounces of narcotics
- Class B: maximum up to 25 years, with a minimum of no less than one year and no more than a third of the maximum term
- ex. first-degree robbery
- Class C: maximum up to 15 years, with a minimum between one year and one-third of the maximum
- ex. first-degree vehicular manslaughter, while driving drunk or with a suspended license
- Class D: maximum up to seven years, with a minimum between one year and one-third of the maximum
- ex. second-degree felony assault, including intentionally injuring someone with a deadly weapon
- Class E: maximum up to four years, with a minimum between one year and one-third of the maximum.
- ex. aggravated harassment, conspiracy, and stealing a credit card or a car worth more than $100.
