WHAT EACH CHARGE CARRIES
28 charges people actually meet, each with the section it comes from, what it requires the state to show, and the most it can carry. Connecticut grades crimes as misdemeanors of class D, C, B and A and felonies of class E, D, C, B and A. Each level here gives its range from the Penal Code's sentencing sections, and an unclassified offense the term and fine its own statute sets.
28 charges
Operating under the influence
U MISD to U FEL · up to as its own statute sets
Also searched as DUI, OUI, DWI, drunk driving
Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both, or with a blood alcohol content of eight hundredths of one per cent or more.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute sets$500 to $1,000 fine | WhenA first conviction: up to six months, forty eight consecutive hours of it not suspended or reduced |
| U FELUnclassified felony | As its own statute sets$1,000 to $4,000 fine | WhenA second within ten years: up to two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of it not suspended or reduced |
| U FELUnclassified felony | As its own statute sets$2,000 to $8,000 fine | WhenA third or later within ten years: up to three years, one year of it not suspended or reduced, and the license revoked |
Each conviction also suspends the license for 45 days, followed by an ignition interlock.
Operating under the influence with a child passenger
U MISD · up to as its own statute sets
Also searched as DUI with a child in the car
Operating a motor vehicle with a passenger under eighteen years of age while under the influence or with an elevated blood alcohol content.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute sets$500 to $2,000 fine | WhenA first conviction: up to one year, thirty consecutive days of it not suspended or reduced, and probation with 100 hours of community service |
Reckless driving
U MISD · up to as its own statute sets
Also searched as driving over 85, speeding over 100
Driving recklessly given the road, traffic and weather, at a speed that endangers someone else's life, at more than 85 miles per hour, or in a work zone while using a phone as the hand held law forbids.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute sets$100 to $300 fine | WhenA first offense: up to 30 days |
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute setsUp to $600 fine | WhenA later offense: up to one year |
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute sets$200 to $600 fine | WhenMore than 100 miles per hour, a first offense: up to 30 days |
Driving while suspended or revoked
U MISD to U FEL · up to as its own statute sets
Also searched as DUS, driving on a suspended license
Operating a motor vehicle while the operator's license or right to operate is refused, suspended or revoked, or operating a vehicle whose registration is.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute sets$150 to $200 fine | WhenA first offense: up to three months |
| U MISDUnclassified misdemeanor | As its own statute sets$200 to $600 fine | WhenA later offense: up to one year |
| U FELUnclassified felony | As its own statute sets$500 to $1,000 fine | WhenDuring a suspension for a second DUI: up to two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of it not suspended or reduced |
Evading responsibility
A MISD to B FEL · up to one to 20 years
Also searched as leaving the scene, hit and run
Being knowingly involved in an accident that injures someone or damages property and not stopping, helping, and giving name, address, license and registration numbers, or reporting it.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenInjury or property damage, a first offense |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenPhysical injury to a person, or a later property offense |
| B FELClass B felony | One to 20 years$15,000 fine | WhenA death or serious physical injury |
A later property offense carries a fine of at least $2,000.
Increasing speed to escape a police officer
A MISD to C FEL · up to one to ten years
Also searched as fleeing, eluding police
Increasing speed to escape or elude an officer in a police vehicle signaling with a siren or flashing lights to stop.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenA first offense |
| C FELClass C felony | One to ten years$10,000 fine | WhenA death or serious physical injury, or any later offense |
Assault
A MISD to B FEL · up to one to 20 years
Also searched as assault three, assault in the third degree, battery
Intending physical injury and causing it, recklessly causing serious physical injury, or causing injury with a weapon by criminal negligence, and up the degrees with more serious intent, injury or weapons.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenThird degree |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenSecond degree |
| C FELClass C felony | One to ten years$10,000 fine | WhenSecond degree, with serious physical injury |
| B FELClass B felony | One to 20 years$15,000 fine | WhenFirst degree |
First degree with a deadly weapon carries five years that may not be suspended or reduced.
Harassment
C MISD to D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as harassment in the second degree, harassing texts
Communicating with someone by any means, with intent to harass, terrorize or alarm and no legitimate purpose, in a manner likely to cause terror, intimidation or alarm.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | WhenSecond degree |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: a threat to kill or injure, by a person with the listed felony convictions |
Stalking
B MISD to D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as cyberstalking, doxxing
Knowingly engaging in a course of conduct, two or more acts, directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety or suffer emotional distress.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenThird degree: wilfully and repeatedly following or lying in wait |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenSecond degree |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: with a prior conviction, against a court order, or by someone 22 or older against someone under 16 |
Breach of the peace in the second degree
B MISD · up to six months
Also searched as breach of peace
With intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, fighting in public, striking someone, threatening a crime, or abusive or obscene language or gestures in a public place.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenA violation |
Disorderly conduct
C MISD · up to three months
Also searched as disorderly
With intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, fighting, unreasonable noise, disturbing a meeting, blocking traffic, or refusing an order to disperse.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | WhenA violation |
Hate crime
E FEL to C FEL · up to one to ten years
Also searched as intimidation based on bigotry or bias, bias crime
Acting with specific intent to intimidate or harass a person, motivated in whole or in substantial part by a protected social category, and injuring, touching or damaging property.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| E FELClass E felony | Up to three yearsAt least $1,000 fine | WhenDamaging a third person's property |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five yearsAt least $1,000 fine | WhenPhysical contact, or damaging the person's own property |
| C FELClass C felony | One to ten yearsAt least $3,000 fine | WhenPhysical injury |
Leaving a child unsupervised
A MISD to C FEL · up to one to ten years
Also searched as child left in a car
Knowingly leaving a child under twelve years of age unsupervised in a place of public accommodation or a motor vehicle for a time that presents a substantial risk to the child's health or safety.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenA violation, or failing to report the child's disappearance |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenIn a place serving alcohol |
| C FELClass C felony | One to ten years$10,000 fine | WhenBetween eight o'clock p.m. and six o'clock a.m. |
Interfering with an officer
A MISD to D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as resisting arrest, obstruction
Obstructing, resisting, hindering or endangering a peace officer or firefighter in the performance of their duties.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenA violation |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenCausing a death or serious physical injury |
Criminal trespass
C MISD to A MISD · up to one year
Also searched as trespassing
Entering or remaining in premises knowing there is no license or privilege to, on posted or fenced land, in a building, or after a personal order to leave.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | WhenThird degree: posted, fenced or enclosed premises |
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenSecond degree: a building or public land, or third degree for hunting, trapping or fishing |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: after an order to leave, or against a protective order |
Larceny
C MISD to B FEL · up to one to 20 years
Also searched as theft, shoplifting, stealing
Committing larceny, graded by the value of the property or service, with some kinds of taking graded higher whatever their value.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | When$500 or less |
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenMore than $500 |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenMore than $1,000 |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenMore than $2,000 |
| C FELClass C felony | One to ten years$10,000 fine | WhenMore than $10,000, or taken from another person's body |
| B FELClass B felony | One to 20 years$15,000 fine | WhenMore than $20,000, or by extortion |
Criminal mischief
B MISD to D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as vandalism, property damage
Damaging another's tangible property with no reasonable ground to believe there is a right to, graded by intent and the amount of the damage.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenThird degree |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenSecond degree: more than $250 of damage |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenFirst degree: more than $1,500 of damage |
Issuing a bad check
C MISD to D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as bounced check, insufficient funds
Issuing or passing a check knowing there are not enough funds to cover it, intending or believing it will be refused, when it is refused.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | WhenFive hundred dollars or less |
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenMore than $500 |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenMore than $1,000 |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenMore than $2,000 |
Criminal lockout
C MISD · up to three months
Also searched as illegal lockout
A landlord, owner or agent depriving a tenant of access to the unit or the tenant's possessions without a court order.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | WhenA violation |
Eavesdropping
D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as wiretapping, secret recording
Unlawfully wiretapping a call or mechanically overhearing or recording a conversation without the consent of at least one party, by a person not present.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenA violation |
Possession of a controlled substance
A MISD · up to one year
Also searched as drug possession
Possessing or controlling any quantity of a controlled substance other than cannabis without authority.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenA violation |
A second offense brings an evaluation and, for a drug dependent person, a possible suspension of prosecution for treatment.
Possessing cannabis over the limit
D MISD to C MISD · up to three months
Also searched as marijuana possession
Possessing more cannabis than the possession limit, or for a person under twenty one years of age, any amount, with first offenses a fine.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| D MISDClass D misdemeanor | Up to 30 days$250 fine | When18 or older but under 21, five ounces or more, a later offense |
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | When21 or older, five ounces or more, a later offense |
A first offense at those amounts is a $500 fine.
Drug paraphernalia
C MISD to A MISD · up to one year
Also searched as paraphernalia
Using or possessing paraphernalia with intent to use it with a controlled substance other than cannabis, or delivering it knowing it will be used that way.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C MISDClass C misdemeanor | Up to three months$500 fine | WhenUse or possession |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenDelivery, or possession or manufacture to deliver |
Permitting a minor to possess alcohol
A MISD · up to one year
Also searched as social host
Knowingly or recklessly letting a person under twenty one years of age possess alcohol in a home or on private property one controls, or failing to stop it.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenA violation |
Carrying a pistol without a permit
B MISD to D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as carrying without a permit, unlawful carry
Carrying a pistol or revolver outside one's own home, land or place of business without a permit to carry, or carrying a firearm intending to display it.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenCarrying a firearm intending to display it, a first offense |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenCarrying intending to display it, a later offense |
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenCarrying a pistol or revolver without a permit |
Carrying without a permit carries one year that may not be suspended or reduced without mitigating circumstances.
Criminal possession of a firearm
C FEL · up to one to ten years
Also searched as felon in possession, prohibited person with a gun
Possessing a firearm, ammunition or an electronic defense weapon while barred by a conviction, a protective order, or a psychiatric confinement the section names.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| C FELClass C felony | One to ten years$10,000 fine | WhenA violation |
Two years and one day of the sentence may not be suspended or reduced, and $5,000 of the fine may not be remitted without reasons on the record.
Possession of a weapon on school grounds
D FEL · up to five years
Also searched as gun at school
Knowingly possessing a firearm or deadly weapon without license or privilege on the grounds of an elementary or secondary school or at a school sponsored activity.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| D FELClass D felony | Up to five years$5,000 fine | WhenA violation |
Carrying a loaded firearm while impaired
B MISD to A MISD · up to one year
Also searched as drunk with a gun
Carrying a loaded firearm on one's person while under the influence of liquor or drugs, or with a blood alcohol content of eight hundredths of one per cent or more.
| Level | Up to | When |
|---|---|---|
| B MISDClass B misdemeanor | Up to six months$1,000 fine | WhenCarrying a loaded firearm |
| A MISDClass A misdemeanor | Up to one year$2,000 fine | WhenHunting under the influence |
Every level on this page, for reference
Each range applies unless the statute defining the offense provides otherwise, and many add mandatory minimum terms or fines of their own, which the charge notes.
- D MISDClass D misdemeanorUp to 30 days$250
- C MISDClass C misdemeanorUp to three months$500
- B MISDClass B misdemeanorUp to six months$1,000
- A MISDClass A misdemeanorUp to one year$2,000
- U MISDUnclassified misdemeanorAs its own statute setsAs its own statute sets
- E FELClass E felonyUp to three years$3,500
- D FELClass D felonyUp to five years$5,000
- U FELUnclassified felonyAs its own statute setsAs its own statute sets
- C FELClass C felonyOne to ten years$10,000
- B FELClass B felonyOne to 20 years$15,000
Words on a charging document
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Class A misdemeanorThe highest class of misdemeanor, with a jail term of up to one year and a fine of up to $2,000, unless the statute defining the crime says otherwise.
- ErasurePolice, court and prosecutor records of a charge erased after a not guilty finding or a dismissal, or of an eligible conviction after seven or ten years.
- InfractionAn offense with only a fine, which the statutes call an infraction rather than a violation or a crime; it is not a felony or a misdemeanor.
- Written promise to appearRelease from custody on a signed promise to come to court, the first condition the court considers, without special conditions or with nonfinancial ones.
About this guide — maximums, not predictions. What a specific case carries turns on priors, the facts, and the court, and only a licensed Connecticut attorney can tell you what yours is. Current as of October 2026.