Class C Misdemeanors and Level Three Misdemeanors

The least serious misdemeanors are classified as Class C or Level Three. These crimes can result in fines and jail time of up to a year, and may also offer the chance of probation.

By , Attorney · Santa Clara University School of Law
Updated May 16, 2023

The federal criminal code and the criminal laws of every state divide crimes into two levels, felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are less serious; typically, they result in a sentence of one year or less, and sentences are served in a jail, not a state prison. Felonies result in state prison time, unless the court has the option to impose probation.

What Is a Class C Misdemeanor?

In most states, misdemeanors are further classified according to severity, by classes ("A" being the most severe), or levels ("1" being the most severe); or by descriptive words or phrases (such as "misdemeanor" and "gross misdemeanor"). Each category has a sentence or a sentence range. The purpose of using categories is to make it simple to learn the punishment for any particular crime—the statute defining the crime will also state the class or level of the crime. Knowing this, the reader refers to the sentence or range for that class, and thus learns the potential sentence for that crime. For example, shoplifting might be a class C misdemeanor in a particular state, carrying a possible sentence of up to three months in jail and a fine of $1,000.

Some states, however, do not classify misdemeanors. Instead, they assign a sentence for every misdemeanor crime, right in the statute that defines the crime.

Class C or Level 3 Misdemeanors

The following states have classified their misdemeanors into classes, levels, or some other ranking system: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

For details on each state's misdemeanor ranking system, and examples of crimes that are class C/level 3 misdemeanors, consult the state-specific articles below:

State

Classification System

Alabama A, B, or C
Alaska A, B, or C
Arizona 1, 2 or 3
Arkansas A, B, or C
California By crime; if no punishment specified, up to 6 months, $1,000, or both
Colorado 1, 2, 3 or unclassified (by crime)
Connecticut A, B, C, or D; or unclassified (by crime)
Delaware A or B or unclassified
D.C. By crime
Florida First or second degree
Georgia "Misdemeanors" and "misdemeanors of a high and aggravated nature"
Hawaii Petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor
Idaho By crime
Illinois A, B, or C
Indiana A, B, or C
Iowa Aggravated, serious, or simple
Kansas A, B, C or unclassified (same as C)
Kentucky A or B
Louisiana By crime
Maine D or E
Maryland By crime
Massachusetts By crime
Michigan By term: offenses punishable by incarceration of up to 93 days, or up to one year; and high court misdemeanors
Minnesota Gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor
Mississippi By crime
Missouri A, B, or C
Montana By crime
Nebraska I, II, III, IIIA, IV, or V
Nevada Gross misdemeanors or misdemeanors
New Hampshire A or B
New Jersey Disorderly person offense or petty disorderly person offense
New Mexico Petty misdemeanor or misdemeanor
New York A, B, or unclassified (by crime)
North Carolina A1, 1, 2, or 3
North Dakota A or B
Ohio First, second, third, fourth, or minor
Oklahoma By crime
Oregon A, B, C, or unclassified (by crime)
Pennsylvania First, second, or third degree
Rhode Island Misdemeanor (by crime) or petty misdemeanor (by crime)
South Carolina A, B, or C
South Dakota 1 or 2
Tennessee A, B, or C
Texas A, B, or C
Utah A, B, or C
Vermont By crime
Virginia 1, 2, 3, or 4, or by crime
Washington Gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor
West Virginia By crime
Wisconsin A, B, or C
Wyoming By crime
DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS
Talk to a Defense attorney
We've helped 95 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please enter a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Please enter a valid Case Description
Description is required

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you