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Charges and sentences

Felony and misdemeanor classes in D.C.

The District of Columbia does not sort crimes into classes or degrees. Each offense law sets its own maximum penalty, and the maximum fine follows a schedule tied to the longest prison term the offense allows. An offense that no other section covers carries up to 5 years.1

Checked October 29, 2026 against D.C.'s own statutes, then by a second reader. General information, not legal advice.

What makes it a felony
No general section of the D.C. criminal code defines "felony" or "misdemeanor." Some offense laws say outright that the offense is a felony. The general fine schedule sorts offenses by their maximum prison term, with separate tiers for terms of one year or less and terms of more than one year.1
Felony theft starts at
$1,000How theft is graded
When a DUI is a felony
No repeat-offense felony. Even a person with two or more earlier offenses faces up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, with at least 15 days of jail.2

How D.C. grades crimes

D.C. has no felony or misdemeanor classes. The penalty is written into each offense law. A criminal offense that no section of the Code covers is punished by a fine (up to the amount in the fine schedule), up to 5 years in prison, or both.3

The most a court can fine a person follows the offense's maximum prison term. Examples: $1,000 for 180 days or less, $2,500 for one year or less, $12,500 for 5 years or less, $25,000 for 10 years or less, and $125,000 for more than 30 years. An offense that results in death can be fined up to $250,000. Some laws, including the DUI penalty sections, set their own fines.1

The Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022, which would have rewritten D.C.'s offenses and penalties, never took effect. Congress disapproved it in Public Law 118-1, effective March 20, 2023. The D.C. Code has no Title 22A, and current offenses and penalties remain in Title 22 and other titles.4

When theft is a felony in D.C.

In D.C., theft of property worth $1,000 or more is theft in the first degree, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Two or more thefts within 6 months that add up to $1,000 or more can be charged as one first degree theft. Theft of property with any value below that is theft in the second degree, punishable by up to 180 days in jail. A person with two or more earlier theft convictions faces up to 15 years for theft at any value.5

D.C. Code § 22-3212(a)(1), (b), (c) · Felony theft amounts in every state

DUI in D.C.

D.C. calls it driving under the influence (DUI). A separate, lesser offense, operating a vehicle while impaired, is in § 50-2206.14.

Repeat offenses
No repeat-offense felony. Even a person with two or more earlier offenses faces up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, with at least 15 days of jail.
Which past offenses count
An earlier DUI, impaired driving or commercial vehicle DUI conviction counts unless the person's jail time, supervised release, parole or probation ended more than 15 years before the arrest on the new offense. Comparable convictions in other jurisdictions also count.
Other felony versions
The DUI penalty sections themselves set no felony. Causing a death by driving a vehicle in a careless, reckless or negligent manner (negligent homicide) is a felony with up to 5 years in prison, whether or not alcohol is involved. Having a minor in the vehicle adds mandatory jail time and a fine, not a felony.

D.C. Code §§ 50-2206.11, 50-2206.13, 50-2206.14, 50-2206.15, 50-2206.01(17), 50-2206.18, 50-2203.012 · Felony DUI rules in every state

After a conviction

Common questions

What is a felony in D.C.?

No general section of the D.C. criminal code defines "felony" or "misdemeanor." Some offense laws say outright that the offense is a felony. The general fine schedule sorts offenses by their maximum prison term, with separate tiers for terms of one year or less and terms of more than one year.

How much theft is a felony in D.C.?

In D.C., theft of property worth $1,000 or more is theft in the first degree, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Two or more thefts within 6 months that add up to $1,000 or more can be charged as one first degree theft. Theft of property with any value below that is theft in the second degree, punishable by up to 180 days in jail. A person with two or more earlier theft convictions faces up to 15 years for theft at any value.

Is a DUI a felony in D.C.?

No repeat-offense felony. Even a person with two or more earlier offenses faces up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000, with at least 15 days of jail. The DUI penalty sections themselves set no felony. Causing a death by driving a vehicle in a careless, reckless or negligent manner (negligent homicide) is a felony with up to 5 years in prison, whether or not alcohol is involved. Having a minor in the vehicle adds mandatory jail time and a fine, not a felony.

These are the general ranges in D.C.'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 D.C." https://secondchanceindex.com/felony-classes/district-of-columbia, checked October 29, 2026.

Sources

Each source was opened and checked on October 29, 2026.

  1. D.C. Code §§ 22-3571.01(b)(5)-(6), 50-2203.01
  2. D.C. Code §§ 50-2206.11, 50-2206.13, 50-2206.14, 50-2206.15, 50-2206.01(17), 50-2206.18, 50-2203.01
  3. D.C. Code § 22-1807
  4. D.C. Code § 1-206.02 (notes); Pub. L. 118-1
  5. D.C. Code § 22-3212(a)(1), (b), (c)
  6. D.C. Code § 50-2206.01 Definitions (impaired driving)Council of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)
  7. D.C. Code § 50-2206.15 Penalty for operating a vehicle while impairedCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)
  8. D.C. Code § 50-2206.18 Additional penalty for impaired driving with a minor in vehicleCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)
  9. D.C. Code § 50-2203.01 Negligent homicideCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)
  10. D.C. Code § 50-2206.14 Operating a vehicle while impairedCouncil of the District of Columbia (D.C. Law Library)