Raleigh Criminal Defense Attorney, Michelle Sparrow, demonstrates the varying levels of felonies in North Carolina.
In the state of North Carolina, felonies are organized into 10 categories, with Class A Felony being the most serious offenses and Class I being the least:
- Class A Felony
- Class B1 Felony
- Class B2 Felony
- Class C Felony
- Class D Felony
- Class E Felony
- Class F Felony
- Class G Felony
- Class H Felony
- Class I Felony
In terms of sentencing, North Carolina operates off of a grid system to determine a sentence. This grid uses two main criteria for sentencing: felony class and prior record of the individual charged with the offense. Not taking into account prior record or any additional information about the crime, a Class A felony will always be sentenced to death or life without parole, whereas a Class I might be sentenced to 3-12 months.
Class A felonies are the only felonies where prior record will not be taken into account in the determination of sentencing. An example of a Class A felony would be murder where a Class F would be involuntary manslaughter. North Carolina is also not subject to statute of limitations regarding felonies.
Occasionally, if you have no prior record, probation may be a viable sentence depending on the nature of the crime and which corresponding felony it is categorized into, as well as any mitigating factors.
If you have been charged with a felony, contact the Raleigh criminal defense attorneys at Sparrow Law Firm for a free consultation.