Charges and sentences
Felony and misdemeanor classes in Arkansas
Arkansas classifies felonies as Class Y (the most serious), A, B, C or D, and misdemeanors as Class A, B or C. Some offenses are unclassified and carry the penalty set in the law that defines them. Violations are a separate, lower level.1
Checked October 29, 2026 against Arkansas's own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.
- What makes it a felony
- In Arkansas, an offense is a felony if the criminal code or another state law designates it a felony. An offense that is not designated a felony but can be punished by imprisonment is a misdemeanor.1
- Felony theft starts at
- More than $1,000How theft is graded
- When a DWI is a felony
- A fourth DWI within 10 years of the first offense is an unclassified felony (1 to 6 years in prison). A fifth or later within 10 years is an unclassified felony (2 to 10 years). A sixth or later within 20 years is a Class B felony. First, second and third offenses are unclassified misdemeanors.2
Felony classes in Arkansas
From most to least serious: Class Y, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Unclassified. The sentence is the range the law allows; the judge picks within it.
| Class | Prison | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Y felony | 10 to 40 years, or lifeThe fine section (§ 5-4-201) lists no fine limit for Class Y. | None set | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(1)3 |
| Class A felony | 6 to 30 years | Up to $15,000 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(2); § 5-4-201(a)(1)3 |
| Class B felony | 5 to 20 years | Up to $15,000 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(3); § 5-4-201(a)(1)3 |
| Class C felony | 3 to 10 years | Up to $10,000 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(4); § 5-4-201(a)(2)3 |
| Class D felony | Up to 6 years | Up to $10,000 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(5); § 5-4-201(a)(2)3 |
| Unclassified felony | As set by the law that defines the offenseFelony DWI is an example. See the notes below. | As set by the law that defines the offense | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(6); § 5-4-201(a)(3)3 |
Misdemeanor classes in Arkansas
| Class | Jail | Fine | The law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | Up to $2,500 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(1); § 5-4-201(b)(1)3 |
| Class B misdemeanor | Up to 90 days | Up to $1,000 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(2); § 5-4-201(b)(2)3 |
| Class C misdemeanor | Up to 30 days | Up to $500 | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(3); § 5-4-201(b)(3)3 |
| Unclassified misdemeanor | As set by the law that defines the offenseFirst, second and third DWI offenses are unclassified misdemeanors. | As set by the law that defines the offense | Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(4); § 5-4-201(b)(4)3 |
Below a misdemeanor
| Class | Penalty | The law |
|---|---|---|
| Violation | Fine of up to $100, unless the law defining the violation sets a different limitViolations are the third kind of offense, after felonies and misdemeanors. | Ark. Code § 5-4-201(c)(1); § 5-1-105(b)(3)4 |
Good to know
Many offenses are unclassified. For these, the sentence limits are in the law that defines the offense, not in the general class table. A felony defined outside the criminal code that names no class and no prison limit is a Class D felony.3
A court can fine someone up to twice the money they gained from the offense, even if that is more than the class limit.4
When theft is a felony in Arkansas
In Arkansas, theft of property worth more than $1,000 is a felony. More than $1,000 up to $5,000 is a Class D felony. More than $5,000 and less than $25,000 is a Class C felony. $25,000 or more is a Class B felony. At $1,000 or less it is a Class A misdemeanor, with exceptions: theft of a firearm or a credit or debit card, or by someone with a theft conviction in the past 10 years, is a Class D felony, and theft of a postal package from a home or delivery vehicle is a Class C felony.5
Ark. Code § 5-36-103(b), as amended by Act 833 of 2025 · Felony theft amounts in every state
DWI in Arkansas
Arkansas calls it driving while intoxicated (DWI). The same law covers boating while intoxicated.
- Repeat offenses
- A fourth DWI within 10 years of the first offense is an unclassified felony (1 to 6 years in prison). A fifth or later within 10 years is an unclassified felony (2 to 10 years). A sixth or later within 20 years is a Class B felony. First, second and third offenses are unclassified misdemeanors.
- Which past offenses count
- 10 years from the first offense for the fourth and fifth offenses, and 20 years from the first offense for the sixth. A certified out-of-state conviction can count as a prior offense.
- Other felony versions
- Causing a death while operating a vehicle while intoxicated (negligent homicide) is a Class B felony. Having a passenger under 16 raises the minimum jail or prison term but is not a separate felony.
Ark. Code §§ 5-65-103, 5-65-111, 5-10-105(a)2 · Felony DUI rules in every state
After a conviction
Common questions
What is a felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, an offense is a felony if the criminal code or another state law designates it a felony. An offense that is not designated a felony but can be punished by imprisonment is a misdemeanor.
What is a Class Y felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the prison range for a Class Y felony is 10 to 40 years, or life. The fine section (§ 5-4-201) lists no fine limit for Class Y.
What is a Class A felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the prison range for a Class A felony is 6 to 30 years, and the fine is up to $15,000.
What is a Class B felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the prison range for a Class B felony is 5 to 20 years, and the fine is up to $15,000.
What is a Class C felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the prison range for a Class C felony is 3 to 10 years, and the fine is up to $10,000.
What is a Class D felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the prison range for a Class D felony is up to 6 years, and the fine is up to $10,000.
What is an unclassified felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the prison range for an unclassified felony is as set by the law that defines the offense, and the fine is as set by the law that defines the offense. Felony DWI is an example. See the notes below.
What is a Class A misdemeanor in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the jail range for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 1 year, and the fine is up to $2,500.
What is a Class B misdemeanor in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the jail range for a Class B misdemeanor is up to 90 days, and the fine is up to $1,000.
What is a Class C misdemeanor in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the jail range for a Class C misdemeanor is up to 30 days, and the fine is up to $500.
What is an unclassified misdemeanor in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the jail range for an unclassified misdemeanor is as set by the law that defines the offense, and the fine is as set by the law that defines the offense. First, second and third DWI offenses are unclassified misdemeanors.
How much theft is a felony in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, theft of property worth more than $1,000 is a felony. More than $1,000 up to $5,000 is a Class D felony. More than $5,000 and less than $25,000 is a Class C felony. $25,000 or more is a Class B felony. At $1,000 or less it is a Class A misdemeanor, with exceptions: theft of a firearm or a credit or debit card, or by someone with a theft conviction in the past 10 years, is a Class D felony, and theft of a postal package from a home or delivery vehicle is a Class C felony.
These are the general ranges in Arkansas'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.
Spot something out of date? Tell us at contact@secondchanceindex.com.
Cite this page
Second Chance Index, "Felony and misdemeanor classes in Arkansas" https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/arkansas, checked October 29, 2026.
Sources
Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.
- Ark. Code § 5-1-106(a); § 5-1-107(a)
- Ark. Code §§ 5-65-103, 5-65-111, 5-10-105(a)
- Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(6), (b)(4); § 5-1-106(c)
- Ark. Code § 5-4-201(d)
- Ark. Code § 5-36-103(b), as amended by Act 833 of 2025
- Ark. Code § 5-1-105. Classification of offensesFindLaw (Arkansas Code)
- Ark. Code § 5-1-107. Misdemeanors--DesignationFindLaw (Arkansas Code)
- Ark. Code § 5-65-103. Unlawful actsFindLaw (Arkansas Code)
- Ark. Code § 5-10-105. Negligent homicideFindLaw (Arkansas Code)
- Act 833 of 2025 (HB1779), theft of propertyArkansas State Legislature
- Act 322 of 2025 (SB301), theft of cargoArkansas State Legislature
- Code Sections Amended, 2025 Regular SessionArkansas State Legislature