Classification System for Federal Felonies
Title 18 of the United States Code governs the classification of federal felonies. These classifications help categorize offenses based on their severity and corresponding penalties.
Each class encompasses a range of crimes, with Class A representing the most severe offenses and Class E the least severe among felonies. Federal misdemeanor offenses also break down into their classifications (i.e., Class A, Class B, and Class C misdemeanors.
As noted, a Class A felony is the most severe type of federal felony. These offenses typically involve violent crimes, and the maximum term of imprisonment is life or, for the most severe crimes, death.
Class B felonies are the next most severe type of federal felony. They typically involve serious crimes such as drug trafficking and are punishable by twenty-five years or more imprisonment.
Class C felonies, also severe crimes, are punishable by under twenty-five but at least ten or more years imprisonment. Common offenses include drug trafficking crimes, depending on the amount of drugs, and certain firearm offenses.
A Class D felony is punishable by less than ten years but at least five years imprisonment. Class E felonies are still serious but the least severe regarding potential incarceration. They are federal crimes that can be punished by more than one year or less than five years of imprisonment.
18 U.S. Code 3559 - Sentencing classification of offenses says, "(a) Classification.
An offense that is not specifically classified by a letter grade in the section defining it is classified if the maximum term of imprisonment authorized is-
(1) life imprisonment, or if the maximum penalty is death, as a Class A felony.
(2) twenty-five years or more as a Class B felony.
(3) less than twenty-five years but ten or more years as a Class C felony.
(4) less than ten years but five or more years as a Class D felony.
(5) less than five years but more than one year, as a Class E felony."
What is the Background?
The current classification system for federal crimes can be traced back to efforts to standardize and streamline the sentencing process in the United States. Historically, federal crimes were categorized without a unified structure, leading to inconsistencies in sentencing outcomes.
The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 marked a pivotal moment in the history of federal sentencing. It introduced the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and established a framework for classifying offenses based on severity.
The Act aimed to enhance fairness and transparency in the judicial process. It ensured that similar crimes received comparable penalties while also considering the nature and circumstances of each offense, thereby instilling a sense of justice in the legal system.
The classification system facilitated more equitable and predictable sentencing by creating a systematic approach. It reinforced the integrity of the federal criminal justice system and kept the public informed about the process, thereby instilling a sense of reliability in the legal system.
What is the Federal Classification System?
Certain federal offenses are specifically designated by a letter grade (A, B, C, D, or E) under the statute that defines them. Other felonies not specifically designated are classified according to the maximum sentencing range listed in 18 U.S.C. 3559. The categories are as follows:
- Class A Felonies: Maximum of life imprisonment or death
- Class B Felonies: Maximum of 25 years or more
- Class C Felonies: Maximum of 10-25 years
- Class D Felonies: Maximum of 5-10 years
- Class E Felonies: Maximum of 1-5 years
It should also be noted that individual states also categorize felonies into classes such as these; however, the classification may differ from state to state, and most differ somewhat from felonies at the federal level. For our purposes, we are focusing only on federal crimes.
What are Class A Felonies?
Class A felonies are the most severe category of federal crimes. They typically involve acts that result in extreme harm or pose significant threats to national security and public safety. The penalties for Class A felonies can include life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Examples of Class A Felonies Include:
- First-degree murder.
- Terrorist acts.
- Large-scale drug trafficking operations (mainly if death results).
- Aggravated kidnapping means an offense that has as its elements the abduction, restraining, confining, or carrying away of another person by force or threat of force.
- Aggravated rape.
- Human trafficking of minors.
What Are Class B Felonies?
Class B felonies, while still severe, are considered less serious than Class A felonies. These crimes often involve significant harm or potential for harm but do not reach the same severity level as those in Class A. The maximum sentence for these crimes is 25 years or more, but less than life imprisonment.
Examples of Class B Felonies Include:
- Second-degree murder.
- Arson.
- Large-scale fraud (e.g., securities fraud involving substantial money).
- Many drug trafficking offenses.
What Are Class C Felonies?
Class C felonies cover a broad spectrum of serious but less severe offenses than Class A and B felonies. These crimes can involve moderate levels of harm or significant financial impact. Maximum penalties for Class C range between 10 and 25 years in prison.
Examples of Class C Felonies Include:
- Robbery.
- Burglary.
- Counterfeiting.
- Drug trafficking involving smaller quantities.
- Embezzlement of larger sums of money.
- Voluntary manslaughter.
What Are Class D Felonies?
Class D felonies encompass offenses that still have considerable seriousness but are generally less impactful than those classified as Class A, B, or C. These crimes may involve lower levels of harm or smaller financial losses. They carry a maximum penalty of between 5 and 10 years in prison.
Examples of Class D Felonies Include:
- Lesser degrees of drug offenses (possession with intent to distribute).
- Involuntary manslaughter.
- Theft of lower-value property.
- Some types of white-collar crimes.
What Are Class E Felonies?
Class E felonies represent the least severe category of federal felonies. While still considered serious crimes, they typically involve minimal physical harm or lower-value financial losses compared to higher classes. Class E felonies carry a maximum penalty of 1-5 years in prison. (Anything less than one year counts as a misdemeanor.)
Examples of Class E Felonies Include:
- Simple possession of controlled substances (without intent to distribute).
- Low-level financial fraud.
- Certain regulatory violations (e.g., minor environmental law breaches).
- Assaulting a federal officer.
What Are Related Federal Laws?
18 U.S. Code Chapter 227 Sentences, Subchapter A General Provisions has several related federal laws related to the classification system, such as the following:
- 18 U.S.C. 3551. Authorized sentences.
- 18 U.S.C. 3552 - Presentence reports.
- 18 U.S.C. 3553 - Imposition of a sentence.
- 18 U.S.C. 3554 - Order of criminal forfeiture.
- 18 U.S.C. 3555 - Order of notice to victims.
- 18 U.S.C. 3556 - Order of restitution.
- 18 U.S.C. 3557 - Review of a sentence.
- 18 U.S.C. 3558 - Implementation of a sentence.
- 18 U.S.C. 3559 - Sentencing classification of offenses.
18 U.S. Code Subchapter B, probation, includes the following federal laws:
- 18 U.S.C. 3561 - Sentence of probation.
- 18 U.S.C. 3562 - Imposition of a sentence of probation.
- 18 U.S.C. 3563 - Conditions of probation.
- 18 U.S.C. 3564 - Running of a term of probation.
- 18 U.S.C. 3565 - Revocation of probation.
- 18 U.S.C. 3566 - Implementation of a sentence of probation
18 U.S. Code Subchapter C, Fines, includes the following federal laws:
- 18 U.S.C. 3571 - Sentence of fine.
- 18 U.S.C. 3572 - Imposition of a sentence of fine and related matters.
- 18 U.S.C. 3573 - Petition of the Government for modification or remission.
- 18 U.S.C. 3574 - Implementation of a sentence of fine.
18 U.S. Code Subchapter D, Imprisonment, includes the following federal laws:
- 18 U.S.C. 3581 - Sentence of imprisonment.
- 18 U.S.C. 3582 - Imposition of a sentence of imprisonment.
- 18 U.S.C. 3583 - Inclusion of a term of supervised release after imprisonment.
- 18 U.S.C. 3584 - Multiple sentences of imprisonment.
- 18 U.S.C. 3585 - Calculation of a term of imprisonment.
- 18 U.S.C. 3586 - Implementation of a sentence of imprisonment.
For additional information, contact our federal criminal defense lawyers at Eisner Gorin LLP, which has offices in Los Angeles, California.
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