Alaska Charges for Crimes by Felony Class

In Alaska, a felony is a crime which can result in a sentence of one year or more imprisonment. In addition, the State of Alaska classifies its felonies.

Felony Sentencing and Convictions in Alaska

There are three types of classifications of felonious offenses in Alaska.  Except for murder in the first and second degree, attempted murder in the first degree, solicitation to commit murder in the first degree, conspiracy to commit murder in the first degree, murder of an unborn child, sexual assault in the first degree, sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, misconduct involving a controlled substance in the first degree, promoting prostitution in the first degree, and kidnapping, all other felony offenses are classified.  The three classifications, examples of the crimes for each classification and the charges/penalties affiliated with each are as follows:

 Alaska Felony Sentencing and Conviction for Murder Cases

Murder in the First Degree: at least 20 years to lifetime imprisonment

Murder in First Degree99 years mandatory imprisonment IF:

a) murder of police officer, firefighter, correctional employee in official duties
b) defendant was previously convicted of murder in the first degree
c) defendant was previously convicted of murder in the second degree
d) defendant subjected the victim to substantial physical torture
e) the defendant is convicted of the murder of and personally caused the death of a person, other than a participant, during a robbery
f) defendant was convicted under laws of another jurisdiction for homicide with same elements of Alaska’s first degree or second degree murder
g) the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is a peace officer who used the officer's authority as a peace officer to facilitate the murder

Murder in the Second Degree: 10 years to 99 years imprisonment

Statute of Limitations for Felony in Alaska

For murder or sexual abuse of a minor, there is no statute of limitations to assert a prosecution against a defendant.  For certain violent felonies, the statute of limitations is ten years.  For most other felonies, the case must be prosecuted in five years.  There are exceptions, such as offenses involving fraud or breach of fiduciary duty in public office, where there is an extension of one to three years after the discovery of the offense. View all Criminal Statute of Limitations in Alaska.

Expungement of Felony Conviction in Alaska

According to Alaska law, the court is not permitted to expunge the record of an individual who has been convicted of a murder, assault, stalking, custodial interference, sexual assault, coercion or arson.  In addition, if one uses a firearm in the commission of an offense, one’s felony conviction is not permitted to be expunged. Finally, if one has a  conviction of reckless endangerment or a felony and that person has one or more prior convictions, the court is not permitted to expunge the conviction.

Help from a Lawyer in Alaska for a Felony

If one is charged with a felony in Alaska, one should consider retaining an experienced criminal attorney.  An experienced attorney can not only review one’s case in order to determine what options one may have, but also an attorney can help to preserve one’s rights.