Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Alaska
Alaska has three felony classes (A, B and C) and two misdemeanor classes (A and B). Violations are fine-only. For felonies, judges follow presumptive sentencing ranges that go up with each earlier felony conviction. Murder, kidnapping and some other very serious felonies carry their own set terms.1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Alaska's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Alaska, a felony is a crime that can be punished by more than one year in prison. A misdemeanor is a crime that cannot be punished by more than one year.1
- Felony theft starts at
- $750How theft is graded
- When a DUI is a felony
- A third DUI within 10 years is a class C felony. A first or second DUI is a class A misdemeanor.2
Felony classes in Alaska
From most to least serious: Class A, Class B, Class C. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A felony | Up to 20 yearsFor a first felony conviction the presumptive range is 4 to 7 years (7 to 11 years if the person had a firearm, used a dangerous instrument, or caused serious injury or death, among other cases). It is 10 to 14 years for a second felony and 15 to 20 years for a third. | Up to $250,000 | AS 12.55.125(c); AS 12.55.035(b)(2)3 |
| Class B felony | Up to 10 yearsFor a first felony conviction the presumptive range is 1 to 3 years. It is 3 to 7 years for a second felony and 6 to 10 years for a third. | Up to $100,000 | AS 12.55.125(d); AS 12.55.035(b)(3)3 |
| Class C felony | Up to 5 yearsFor a first felony conviction the presumptive range is 0 to 2 years. It is 2 to 4 years for a second felony and 3 to 5 years for a third. | Up to $50,000 | AS 12.55.125(e); AS 12.55.035(b)(4)3 |
Misdemeanor classes in Alaska
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $25,000 | AS 12.55.135(a); AS 12.55.035(b)(5)5 |
| Class B misdemeanor | Up to 90 daysThe 90-day limit applies unless the law defining the offense says otherwise. | Up to $2,000 | AS 12.55.135(b); AS 12.55.035(b)(6)5 |
Below a misdemeanor
| Class | Penalty | The law |
|---|---|---|
| Violation | Fine only, up to $500A violation is not a crime. Alaska law says a conviction for a violation does not create any disability or legal disadvantage based on a conviction of a crime. | AS 11.81.900(b)(69); AS 12.55.035(b)(7)1 |
Good to know
Murder, kidnapping, attempted murder and first-degree drug misconduct are sentenced under separate subsections of the same statute. First-degree murder carries 30 to 99 years.3
Alaska sentences most felonies within presumptive ranges. The range depends on whether the conviction is a first, second or third felony, and judges can adjust it for aggravating or mitigating factors. Sex offenses listed in AS 12.55.125(i) have longer ranges.3
When theft is a felony in Alaska
In Alaska, theft of property worth $750 or more is a felony. Second-degree theft ($750 to under $25,000) is a class C felony, and first-degree theft ($25,000 or more) is a class B felony. Below $750 it is a misdemeanor, unless other facts apply, such as theft of a firearm or from a person. Theft of $250 to under $750 is also a felony for someone with two or more earlier theft-related convictions in the past five years.4
AS 11.46.130(a)(1), (a)(6), (c); AS 11.46.120 · Felony theft amounts in every state
DUI in Alaska
Alaska calls it driving under the influence (DUI). The statute's name for the crime is driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, inhalant, or controlled substance.
- Repeat offenses
- A third DUI within 10 years is a class C felony. A first or second DUI is a class A misdemeanor.
- Which past offenses count
- 10 years for the felony: two or more earlier DUI convictions since Jan. 1, 1996, within the 10 years before the new offense. For the minimum sentence on a misdemeanor DUI, earlier convictions within 15 years count.
- Other felony versions
- A new DUI is also a class C felony if the person was sentenced under the felony DUI rule, or under AS 28.35.032(p), within the last 10 years. The DUI statute lists no other felony triggers.
AS 28.35.030(b), (n), (w)(4)2 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Alaska?
In Alaska, a felony is a crime that can be punished by more than one year in prison. A misdemeanor is a crime that cannot be punished by more than one year.
What is a Class A felony in Alaska?
In Alaska, the prison range for a Class A felony is up to 20 years, and the fine is up to $250,000. For a first felony conviction the presumptive range is 4 to 7 years (7 to 11 years if the person had a firearm, used a dangerous instrument, or caused serious injury or death, among other cases). It is 10 to 14 years for a second felony and 15 to 20 years for a third.
What is a Class B felony in Alaska?
In Alaska, the prison range for a Class B felony is up to 10 years, and the fine is up to $100,000. For a first felony conviction the presumptive range is 1 to 3 years. It is 3 to 7 years for a second felony and 6 to 10 years for a third.
What is a Class C felony in Alaska?
In Alaska, the prison range for a Class C felony is up to 5 years, and the fine is up to $50,000. For a first felony conviction the presumptive range is 0 to 2 years. It is 2 to 4 years for a second felony and 3 to 5 years for a third.
What is a Class A misdemeanor in Alaska?
In Alaska, the jail range for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 1 year, and the fine is up to $25,000.
What is a Class B misdemeanor in Alaska?
In Alaska, the jail range for a Class B misdemeanor is up to 90 days, and the fine is up to $2,000. The 90-day limit applies unless the law defining the offense says otherwise.
How much theft is a felony in Alaska?
In Alaska, theft of property worth $750 or more is a felony. Second-degree theft ($750 to under $25,000) is a class C felony, and first-degree theft ($25,000 or more) is a class B felony. Below $750 it is a misdemeanor, unless other facts apply, such as theft of a firearm or from a person. Theft of $250 to under $750 is also a felony for someone with two or more earlier theft-related convictions in the past five years.
Is a DUI a felony in Alaska?
A third DUI within 10 years is a class C felony. A first or second DUI is a class A misdemeanor. A new DUI is also a class C felony if the person was sentenced under the felony DUI rule, or under AS 28.35.032(p), within the last 10 years. The DUI statute lists no other felony triggers.
These are the general ranges in Alaska's sentencing laws. A specific crime can carry its own minimum or maximum, and past convictions can raise the range. This isn't legal advice; a defense lawyer or public defender can tell you what applies to a case.
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Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Alaska" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/alaska, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- AS 11.81.900(b)(26), (40)
- AS 28.35.030(b), (n), (w)(4)
- AS 12.55.125(a)-(b)
- AS 11.46.130(a)(1), (a)(6), (c); AS 11.46.120
- AS 12.55.135. Sentences of imprisonment for misdemeanorsAlaska State Legislature
- AS 12.55.035. FinesAlaska State Legislature
- AS 11.46.120. Theft in the first degreeAlaska State Legislature