Understanding the Classes of Felonies

Criminal charges come in two forms: misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies come with stiffer penalties and more jail time than misdemeanors do. If you are charged with a felony, you need to take it seriously. You will need an experienced criminal defense attorney to provide you with legal counsel. You will also need to understand the different classes, or levels, of felonies that you may be charged with. Each is different and carries different maximum fines and prison sentences. Below, we will explore the various classes of felonies and their characteristics.

Class A Felonies: Class A felonies are the most severe offenses in Maine. They encompass crimes that pose significant threats to public safety and have the harshest penalties. Examples of Class A felonies include murder, certain drug trafficking charges, and aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury. These charges can result in lengthy prison sentences, steep fines, and other legal consequences.

Class B Felonies: Class B felonies are also serious criminal charges that are a step below Class A felonies. Charges like manslaughter, robbery, and certain drug trafficking charges are examples of Class B felonies. These felonies can result in long prison sentences, substantial fines, and other legal consequences.

Class C Felonies: Class C felonies in Maine encompass offenses that are less severe than Class B felonies but still carry significant legal consequences. Examples of Class C felonies include burglary, aggravated criminal mischief, and certain drug possession offenses. Convictions for Class C felonies can result in prison sentences, fines, and other penalties determined by the court.

Class D Felonies: These types of felonies are the least severe of them all, but still serious. These types of crimes include theft, forgery, and certain drug trafficking charges. Class D felonies can result in prison sentences, fines, and other legal consequences.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Attorney Today!

Jim Mitchell & Jed Davis, P.A. is a criminal defense attorney serving the Augusta, ME area. If you are charged with a felony, do not take it lightly. These criminal charges can result in you facing imprisonment, fines, and other legal consequences with severity depending on the class of felony you are charged with. Our attorney will provide you with legal counsel throughout the legal process and help you understand the nuances between the classes of felonies. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!