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U.S. Criminal Penalties & Sentencing Guide
Offense classifications, sentencing guidelines, jail terms, and statutory fines under U.S. law.
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Offense Directory
Sentencing & Fine Structure
Select a crime category and click View Penalties.
U.S. Federal Offense Classifications (18 U.S.C. § 3559)
| Offense Class | Max Authorized Jail Term | Max Fine | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A Felony | Life / Death Penalty | $250,000 | First-degree murder |
| Class B Felony | 25+ Years | $250,000 | Second-degree murder, Armed robbery |
| Class C Felony | 10 to 25 Years | $250,000 | Large wire fraud, Grand larceny |
| Class D Felony | 5 to 10 Years | $250,000 | Grand theft auto |
| Class E Felony | 1 to 5 Years | $250,000 | Certain drug possession, lower-value theft |
| Class A Misdemeanor | 6 Months to 1 Year | $100,000 | Shoplifting, Simple assault |
| Class B Misdemeanor | 30 Days to 6 Months | $5,000 | Trespassing |
| Class C Misdemeanor | 5 to 30 Days | $5,000 | Disorderly conduct |
Source: United States Code Title 18 Section 3559 and federal sentencing guidelines. State level classification structures (such as degrees 1st through 3rd) vary but align approximately with these statutory ranges.