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Same name, different sentence

What is a class A misdemeanor?

A class A misdemeanor is one of the grades states use to rank misdemeanors by how serious they are. 19 states use the name, and each sets its own jail range and fine for it. Here is each one, from the state's own law.

Last checked October 29, 2026. General information, not legal advice.

Class A misdemeanor sentences by state
StateJailFineThe law
AlabamaUp to 1 yearUp to $6,000Ala. Code § 13A-5-7(a)(1); § 13A-5-12(a)(1)1
AlaskaUp to 1 yearUp to $25,000AS 12.55.135(a); AS 12.55.035(b)(5)2
ArkansasUp to 1 yearUp to $2,500Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(1); § 5-4-201(b)(1)3
ConnecticutUp to 364 daysSection 53a-36 still says one year, but since Oct. 1, 2021, § 53a-36a caps any sentence of up to one year at 364 days. A conviction stays a misdemeanor.Up to $2,000Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-36(1), 53a-36a(a), 53a-42(1)4
DelawareUp to 1 yearThe court may also order restitution or other conditions.Up to $2,30011 Del. C. § 4206(a)5
IllinoisLess than 1 yearProbation or conditional discharge can last up to 2 years.Up to $2,500 or the amount set in the offense, whichever is greater730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55(a), (d), (e)6
IndianaUp to 1 yearJail and fine can be combined.Up to $5,000Ind. Code § 35-50-3-27
KansasUp to 1 yearThe fine cap comes from K.S.A. 21-6611(b)(1), which says "a sum not exceeding $2,500;" for this class.Up to $2,500K.S.A. 21-6602(a)(1); K.S.A. 21-6611(b)(1)8
KentuckyUp to 12 monthsFine rule: KRS 534.040(2)(a). A fine may be added to jail time or used instead of it.Up to $500KRS 532.090(1)9
MissouriUp to 1 yearUp to $2,000Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(6), 558.00210
New HampshireUp to 1 yearUp to $2,000N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 651:2, II(c)11
New YorkUp to 364 daysUp to $1,000N.Y. Penal Law §§ 70.15(1), 80.05(1)12
North DakotaUp to 360 daysUp to $3,000N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-0113
OregonUp to 364 daysA crime with no class or penalty stated is treated as a Class A misdemeanor.Up to $6,250ORS 161.615(1), 161.635(1), 161.555(3)14
South CarolinaUp to 3 yearsNone setS.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)15
TennesseeUp to 11 months and 29 daysThe court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both.Up to $2,500Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)16
TexasUp to 1 yearThe court can order the fine, the jail term, or both.Up to $4,000Tex. Penal Code § 12.2117
UtahUp to 364 daysClass A misdemeanors in Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 5 (offenses against the person) can carry up to 1 year, with four listed exceptions. The fine limit comes from Utah Code § 76-3-301.Up to $2,500Utah Code § 76-3-204(1)18
WisconsinUp to 9 monthsUp to $10,000Wis. Stat. § 939.51(3)19

Why the same name means different things

Each state writes its own criminal code. The letters, numbers and degrees only rank crimes within that state, so a class A misdemeanor in one state can carry a very different sentence from one next door. A specific crime can also set its own range, and past convictions can raise it. For how a state grades a particular crime, see Is it a felony?

Other misdemeanor grades

Sources

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

  1. Alabama: Ala. Code § 13A-5-7(a)(1); § 13A-5-12(a)(1)
  2. Alaska: AS 12.55.135(a); AS 12.55.035(b)(5)
  3. Arkansas: Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(1); § 5-4-201(b)(1)
  4. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-36(1), 53a-36a(a), 53a-42(1)
  5. Delaware: 11 Del. C. § 4206(a)
  6. Illinois: 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-55(a), (d), (e)
  7. Indiana: Ind. Code § 35-50-3-2
  8. Kansas: K.S.A. 21-6602(a)(1); K.S.A. 21-6611(b)(1)
  9. Kentucky: KRS 532.090(1)
  10. Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(6), 558.002
  11. New Hampshire: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 651:2, II(c)
  12. New York: N.Y. Penal Law §§ 70.15(1), 80.05(1)
  13. North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-01
  14. Oregon: ORS 161.615(1), 161.635(1), 161.555(3)
  15. South Carolina: S.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)
  16. Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)
  17. Texas: Tex. Penal Code § 12.21
  18. Utah: Utah Code § 76-3-204(1)
  19. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. § 939.51(3)