A felony is a type of criminal offense where a person may be sentenced to serve 1+ years in a state or federal penitentiary, pay financial penalties, or a combination of both. Crimes that are defined as felonies are different from misdemeanors because of the severity of the sentence that may be imposed by the statute. It also is possible that a person convicted of severe felonies involving murder can receive a death sentence.
Types of Felonies
The federal government and most states classify felonies according to a letter or number scale, such as below. Some crimes can be classified as various types of felonies, depending on severity and circumstances.
- Class A Felony: Life in prison. First degree murder or felony-murder.
- Class B Felony: Up to 60 years in prison. Second degree murder, reckless homicide, kidnapping.
- Class C Felony: Up to 40 years in prison and fine up to $100,000. Felony drunk driving, vehicular homicide, solicitation of a child.
- Class D Felony: Up to 25 years in prison and fine of up to $100,000. Felony drunk driving, vehicular homicide.
- Class E Felony: Up to 15 years in prison and fine of up to $50,000. Burglary and robbery, assault.
- Class F Felony: Up to 12.5 years in prison and fine up to $25,000. Failure to prevent sexual assault of child, burglary, theft, stalking
- Class G Felony: Up to 10 years in prison and fine up to $25,000. Negligent homicide, embezzlement, theft.
- Class H Felony: Up to 6 years in prison and fine up to $10,000. Embezzlement, battery, stalking.
- Class I Felony: Up to 3.5 years in prison and fine up to $10,000. Child pornography, embezzlement, battery, stalking, theft.
In Massachusetts, you also can be convicted of a felony for a drug crimes. The classifications of drug crimes range from A-E, with heroin and cocaine being the most serious (A and E), and marijuana and steroids being the least serious (D and E). Your imprisonment for a drug felony in Massachusetts can range anywhere from 3-10 years.
If you have felony charges or convictions against you, contact Massachusetts Felony Lawyer, Geoffrey G. Nathan. He has the experience and legal skills needed to handle serious criminal matters. To arrange an office consultation, contact us now.