What An Offense Level Means
ORS chapter 161 and ORS 153.018 — violations, misdemeanors and felonies, each in classes
A crime in Oregon is an offense for which imprisonment is authorized, and it is a felony or a misdemeanor. An offense punishable only by a fine, with no term of imprisonment, is a violation, and a conviction for a violation carries no disability or legal disadvantage of a criminal conviction.
| Class | Longest term | Largest fine |
|---|---|---|
| ClassClass D violation | Longest termNone | Largest fine$250 |
| ClassClass C violation | Longest termNone | Largest fine$500 |
| ClassClass B violation | Longest termNone | Largest fine$1,000 |
| ClassClass A violation | Longest termNone | Largest fine$2,000 |
| ClassClass C misdemeanor | Longest term30 days | Largest fine$1,250 |
| ClassClass B misdemeanor | Longest term6 months | Largest fine$2,500 |
| ClassClass A misdemeanor | Longest term364 days | Largest fine$6,250 |
| ClassClass C felony | Longest term5 years | Largest fine$125,000 |
| ClassClass B felony | Longest term10 years | Largest fine$250,000 |
| ClassClass A felony | Longest term20 years | Largest fine$375,000 |
The section names the class. Each crime in the criminal code names its own class in the section that defines it. An offense with no class and no penalty named is a Class A misdemeanor. An offense outside the code whose sentence fits the description is an unclassified felony or misdemeanor, with the penalty its own statute sets.
Where a person gained money or property from the offense, the court may instead fine up to double the gain. The fines above are for individuals; corporations have their own. A misdemeanor is also any crime punishable by not more than one year.
Sources for this section (10)
- ORS 161.515 — “Crime” described
- ORS 161.535 — Classification of felonies
- ORS 161.545 — “Misdemeanor” described
- ORS 161.555 — Classification of misdemeanors
- ORS 161.605 — Maximum terms of imprisonment for felonies
- ORS 161.615 — Maximum terms of imprisonment for misdemeanors
- ORS 161.625 — Fines for felonies
- ORS 161.635 — Fines for misdemeanors
- ORS 153.008 — Violations described
- ORS 153.018 — Maximum fines
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Oregon attorney.