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Same name, different sentence

What is a class B misdemeanor?

A class B 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 B misdemeanor sentences by state
StateJailFineThe law
AlabamaUp to 6 monthsUp to $3,000Ala. Code § 13A-5-7(a)(2); § 13A-5-12(a)(2)1
AlaskaUp to 90 daysThe 90-day limit applies unless the law defining the offense says otherwise.Up to $2,000AS 12.55.135(b); AS 12.55.035(b)(6)2
ArkansasUp to 90 daysUp to $1,000Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(2); § 5-4-201(b)(2)3
ConnecticutUp to 6 monthsUp to $1,000Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-36(2), 53a-42(2)4
DelawareUp to 6 monthsThe court may also order restitution or other conditions.Up to $1,15011 Del. C. § 4206(b)5
IllinoisUp to 6 monthsProbation or conditional discharge can last up to 2 years.Up to $1,500 or the amount set in the offense, whichever is greater730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-60(a), (d), (e)6
IndianaUp to 180 daysJail and fine can be combined.Up to $1,000Ind. Code § 35-50-3-37
KansasUp to 6 monthsThe fine cap comes from K.S.A. 21-6611(b)(2), which says "a sum not exceeding $1,000;" for this class.Up to $1,000K.S.A. 21-6602(a)(2); K.S.A. 21-6611(b)(2)8
KentuckyUp to 90 daysFine rule: KRS 534.040(2)(b).Up to $250KRS 532.090(2)9
MissouriUp to 6 monthsUp to $1,000Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(7), 558.00210
New HampshireNone (no jail or probation)A class B misdemeanor can be punished only by a fine, discharge or other sanctions that do not include jail or probation.Up to $1,200N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 651:2, III11
New YorkUp to 3 monthsUp to $500N.Y. Penal Law §§ 70.15(2), 80.05(2)12
North DakotaUp to 30 daysUp to $1,500N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-0113
OregonUp to 6 monthsUp to $2,500ORS 161.615(2), 161.635(1)14
South CarolinaUp to 2 yearsNone setS.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)15
TennesseeUp to 6 monthsThe court can impose the jail term, the fine, or both.Up to $500Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)16
TexasUp to 180 daysThe court can order the fine, the jail term, or both.Up to $2,000Tex. Penal Code § 12.2217
UtahUp to 6 monthsThe fine limit comes from Utah Code § 76-3-301.Up to $1,000Utah Code § 76-3-204(2)18
WisconsinUp to 90 daysUp to $1,000Wis. 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 B 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)(2); § 13A-5-12(a)(2)
  2. Alaska: AS 12.55.135(b); AS 12.55.035(b)(6)
  3. Arkansas: Ark. Code § 5-4-401(b)(2); § 5-4-201(b)(2)
  4. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-36(2), 53a-42(2)
  5. Delaware: 11 Del. C. § 4206(b)
  6. Illinois: 730 ILCS 5/5-4.5-60(a), (d), (e)
  7. Indiana: Ind. Code § 35-50-3-3
  8. Kansas: K.S.A. 21-6602(a)(2); K.S.A. 21-6611(b)(2)
  9. Kentucky: KRS 532.090(2)
  10. Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(7), 558.002
  11. New Hampshire: N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 651:2, III
  12. New York: N.Y. Penal Law §§ 70.15(2), 80.05(2)
  13. North Dakota: N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-32-01
  14. Oregon: ORS 161.615(2), 161.635(1)
  15. South Carolina: S.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)
  16. Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(e)
  17. Texas: Tex. Penal Code § 12.22
  18. Utah: Utah Code § 76-3-204(2)
  19. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. § 939.51(3)