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Same name, different sentence

What is a class E felony?

A class E felony is one of the grades states use to rank felonies by how serious they are. 8 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 E felony sentences by state
StatePrisonFineThe law
ConnecticutUp to 3 yearsUp to $3,500Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a(9), 53a-411
DelawareUp to 5 yearsNone set11 Del. C. § 4205(b)(5)2
MissouriUp to 4 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)(5), 558.011(2), 558.0023
New YorkMaximum term up to 4 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)4
North CarolinaUsual minimum term of 20 to 50 months, depending on prior recordThe usual (presumptive) minimum is 20 to 25 months at prior record level I and 40 to 50 months at level VI. Mitigating factors can lower the minimum to as little as 15 months, and aggravating factors can raise it to as much as 63 months. A separate table sets the maximum term. At levels I and II the chart allows an intermediate or active punishment. At levels III to VI it requires active prison.Set by the judgeN.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(c)5
South CarolinaUp to 10 yearsNone setS.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)6
Tennessee1 to 6 yearsThe fine is set by a jury, "unless otherwise provided by statute."Up to $3,000Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)7
WisconsinUp to 15 yearsThis is the total sentence. Prison confinement is capped at 10 years, followed by up to 5 years of extended supervision.Up to $50,000Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50(3), 973.01(2)(b), (d)8

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 E 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. Connecticut: Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 53a-35a(9), 53a-41
  2. Delaware: 11 Del. C. § 4205(b)(5)
  3. Missouri: Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 558.011(1)(5), 558.011(2), 558.002
  4. New York: N.Y. Penal Law § 70.00(2)
  5. North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(c)
  6. South Carolina: S.C. Code § 16-1-20(A)
  7. Tennessee: Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-111(b)
  8. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50(3), 973.01(2)(b), (d)