Second Chance Index
Menu

Same name, different sentence

What is a class I felony?

A class I felony is one of the grades states use to rank felonies by how serious they are. 3 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 I felony sentences by state
StatePrisonFineThe law
NebraskaDeathNone setNeb. Rev. Stat. § 28-105(1)1
North CarolinaUsual minimum term of 4 to 10 months, depending on prior recordThe usual (presumptive) minimum is 4 to 6 months at prior record level I and 8 to 10 months at level VI. Mitigating factors can lower the minimum to as little as 3 months, and aggravating factors can raise it to as much as 12 months. A separate table sets the maximum term. At level I the chart allows only a community punishment. At level II it allows a community or intermediate punishment, and at level III only an intermediate punishment. At levels IV to VI it allows an intermediate or active punishment. A felony with no assigned class is a Class I felony.Set by the judgeN.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(a), (c)2
WisconsinUp to 3 years and 6 monthsThis is the total sentence. Prison confinement is capped at 1 year and 6 months, followed by up to 2 years of extended supervision.Up to $10,000Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50(3), 973.01(2)(b), (d)3

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 I 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. Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-105(1)
  2. North Carolina: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1340.17(a), (c)
  3. Wisconsin: Wis. Stat. §§ 939.50(3), 973.01(2)(b), (d)