What an Offense Level Means
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a and 53a-36 — from a class D misdemeanor, 30 days, to a class A felony, ten to 25 years
A crime is a felony or a misdemeanor. An offense for which the only sentence is a fine is a violation, unless it is called an infraction, and a conviction of a violation carries no disability or legal disadvantage based on conviction of a criminal offense.
Who handles this in Connecticut: legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Connecticut directory.
A misdemeanor is an offense with a possible sentence of not more than one year; a felony one with a possible sentence of more than one year.
| Misdemeanor | Jail up to | Fine up to |
|---|---|---|
| MisdemeanorClass A | Jail up toOne year | Fine up to$2,000 |
| MisdemeanorClass B | Jail up toSix months | Fine up to$1,000 |
| MisdemeanorClass C | Jail up toThree months | Fine up to$500 |
| MisdemeanorClass D | Jail up to30 days | Fine up to$250 |
| Felony | Prison | Fine up to |
|---|---|---|
| FelonyClass A, murder | PrisonNot less than 25 years nor more than life | Fine up to$20,000 |
| FelonyClass A, others | PrisonNot less than ten years nor more than 25 | Fine up to$20,000 |
| FelonyClass B | PrisonNot less than one year nor more than 20 | Fine up to$15,000 |
| FelonyClass C | PrisonNot less than one year nor more than ten | Fine up to$10,000 |
| FelonyClass D | PrisonUp to five years | Fine up to$5,000 |
| FelonyClass E | PrisonUp to three years | Fine up to$3,500 |
Each figure applies unless the statute that defines the crime provides otherwise, and many do, with mandatory minimum terms of their own.
Sources for this section (8)
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-24 — Offense defined. Application of sentencing provisions to motor vehicle and drug selling violators
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-25 — Felony: Definition, classification, designation
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-26 — Misdemeanor: Definition, classification, designation
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-27 — Violation: Definition, designation
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-35a — Imprisonment for felony committed on or after July 1, 1981. Definite sentence. Authorized term
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-36 — Imprisonment for misdemeanor. Definite sentence. Authorized term
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-41 — Fines for felonies
- Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-42 — Fines for misdemeanors
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Connecticut attorney.