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Same name, different sentence

What is a class D felony?

A class D felony is one of the grades states use to rank felonies by how serious they are. 12 states use the name, and each sets its own prison 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 D felony sentences by state
StatePrisonFineThe law
Alabama1 year and 1 day to 5 yearsUp to $7,500Ala. Code § 13A-5-6(a)(4); § 13A-5-11(a)(4)1
ArkansasUp to 6 yearsUp to $10,000Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(5); § 5-4-201(a)(2)2
ConnecticutUp to 5 yearsUp to $5,000Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a(8), 53a-413
DelawareUp to 8 yearsNone set11 Del. C. § 4205(b)(4)4
IowaUp to 5 yearsThe fine is required in addition to prison unless the person is sentenced under the statute's "habitual offender" rule. State surcharges are added on top of the fine.$1,025 to $10,245Iowa Code § 902.9(1)(e), (2)5
Kentucky1 to 5 yearsFine rule: KRS 534.030(1) says to "pay a fine in an amount not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or double his gain". It does not apply to a person found indigent.$1,000 to $10,000, or double the person's gain from the offense if that is greaterKRS 532.060(2)6
MissouriUp to 7 yearsFor Class D and E felonies, the court may instead order up to 1 year in a county jail or other authorized institution.Up to $10,000Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(4), 558.011(2), 558.0027
New YorkMaximum term up to 7 yearsThe minimum is at least 1 year and no more than one-third of the maximum. Violent felonies currently get a fixed (determinate) term instead (see notes).Up to $5,000, or double the gain from the crime if higherN.Y. Penal Law § 70.00(2)8
North CarolinaUsual minimum term of 51 to 128 months, depending on prior recordThe usual (presumptive) minimum is 51 to 64 months at prior record level I and 103 to 128 months at level VI. Mitigating factors can lower the minimum to as little as 38 months, and aggravating factors can raise it to as much as 160 months. A separate table sets the maximum term. Active prison is required at every level.Set by the judgeN.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(c)9
South CarolinaUp to 15 yearsNone setS.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)10
Tennessee2 to 12 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute."Up to $5,000Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)11
WisconsinUp to 25 yearsThis is the total sentence. Prison confinement is capped at 15 years, followed by up to 10 years of extended supervision.Up to $100,000Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50(3), 973.01(2)(b), (d)12

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 D felony 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 felony grades

Sources

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

  1. Alabama: Ala. Code § 13A-5-6(a)(4); § 13A-5-11(a)(4)
  2. Arkansas: Ark. Code § 5-4-401(a)(5); § 5-4-201(a)(2)
  3. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a(8), 53a-41
  4. Delaware: 11 Del. C. § 4205(b)(4)
  5. Iowa: Iowa Code § 902.9(1)(e), (2)
  6. Kentucky: KRS 532.060(2)
  7. Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(4), 558.011(2), 558.002
  8. New York: N.Y. Penal Law § 70.00(2)
  9. North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(c)
  10. South Carolina: S.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)
  11. Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)
  12. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50(3), 973.01(2)(b), (d)