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Classes of Felonies Defined

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Felony crimes are the most serious of all crimes, and there are different classes of felonies. The penalties for felony offenses vary greatly and range from more than a year of imprisonment to life without parole to the death sentence. Examples of the most serious felony crimes include murder, rape and terrorism.

Each state defines its own rules regarding the specifics of the crimes and the punishment for each. What amounts to a felony in one state, might be considered a misdemeanor in another. For this article, Wisconsin classifications will be used, with information from other states added.

Classes of felonies are categorized according to the severity of the penalty.

  • Class 1 or Class A felonies are generally heinous crimes and are penalized with the most severe prison terms and fines. The recommendation for a Class A or Class 1 felony are lengthy prison sentences including life without parole, and large fines that in some states are as high as $150,000. Class A felony crimes include murder and first degree intentional homicide.
  • Class 2 or Class B felony crimes are serious crimes and the penalty can be as severe as 60 years imprisonment. In some states, Class B felons may also face a life of probation and fines up to $30,000. Crimes of this nature include manslaughter, conspiracy, kidnapping and first degree sexual assault.
  • In some states Class 3 or Class C felonies are categorized as the least severe felonies, though in Wisconsin the Class C felony carries harsh penalties including fines up to $100,000 and a 40 year prison term. Class C crimes may include second degree sexual assault, kidnapping, arson and robbery.
  • Class D felonies include vehicular homicide, child enticement and solicitation of a child. The penalties for these crimes are fines up to $100,000 and a prison sentence of up to 25 years.
  • Class E felony offenses include battery, burglary and robbery, and carry fines up to $50,000 and a 15 year prison term.
  • Class F felonies include sexual exploitation, stalking and theft, and carry a fine of up to $25,000 and a prison sentence of 12 years.
  • Class G felonies include negligent homicide, embezzlement and theft and an offender can face a fine of up to $25,000 and/or 10 years in prison.
  • Class H felonious offenders can pay fines amounting to $10,000 and be sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. Crimes in this classification include stalking, theft and false imprisonment.
  • Class I felonies carry the lightest sentence and the smallest of all felony fines: three and a half years of prison and $10,000. Crimes in this classification include child pornography, battery, theft and stalking.

These penalties for the different classes of felonies are the standard punishment for each crime, yet keep in mind that all of them can be reduced or increased depending on the nature of the crime, the character and history of the felon and aggravated and mitigating circumstances.

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