Crimes are categorized as violent and non-violent, and of two types: felonies and misdemeanors or infractions. Thus, the main difference from one classification to another is not just the degree of dangerousness of the committed crime, but the time for which the corresponding punishment is prescribed. Most of the time misdemeanor crimes are penalized by a jail term of less than one year. Imprisonment for the felonies, for instance, begins at one year. The felonies are classified in most of the states starting with the highest degree to the lowest classification. Some of the states apply the letter classification system in order to divide felonies according to the minimal and maximal penalty. Other states use a level or a degree system level.

States which employ a letter-based classification could tag their felonies as being Classes A to D, Classes A to E or even Classes A to H at times. Besides, the same type of crime attracts different penalties depending on the state of the country.

Class A Felonies

Class A felonies are the worst amongst all the classes of felonies. They are also the most uniform between states since they include the most important offences or work the highest offences. Some of the crimes that are said to get to this level include murder, rape, kidnapping and arson.
For instance, if a person is found guilty of Class A violent felony, then he or she is liable to be sentenced to a term of 20-25 years to life imprisonment in most States.

Some examples of Class A-I felonies are:

• Murder In the First Degree: A specifically planned action deprives a particular individual of his or her life. In most States only specific murders can be considered as “first degree.” Usually, it has to do with the victim. If someone laid a plan to kill a ‘‘police’, ‘‘an ‘‘employee of a correctional facility’’, a ‘‘witness ‘’ to a crime or ‘‘emergency personnel,’’ regardless of whether the killing was premeditated, it qualifies to be categorized as first-degree murder.
• Kidnapping In the First Degree: A person takes away another person with the intention of demanding ransom for the release of the individual, the victim is confined for more than twelve hours, or the victim succumbs to asphyxia during the period he or she was in the custody of the abductor.

Class B Felonies

Nevertheless, the Class B felonious offenses are less severe than those with the Class A yet can be deemed heinous. Some of the Class B felonies might be manslaughter, robbery, distribution of narcotics and attempting to commit class A felony.
For instance, if one is convicted of a Class B felony in Connecticut then he or she can be sentenced to 1- 40 years’ imprisonment and fines amounting to 15000 US dollars.

Some examples of Class B felonies in Connecticut are:

• Manslaughter In the First Degree with A Firearm: A person who possesses a firearm has the aim of inflicting grievous bodily harm on another and kills the victim or another.
• Sexual Assault in A Spousal or Cohabitation Relationship: An intimate partner makes her or him have sexual intercourse against his or her will by using physical violence.

Class C Felonies

Class C felonies are comparatively minor in nature when compared to Class B felonies. Class C may also comprise bribery, forgery, criminal tampering, and interferences with child custody.
So if a person is convicted of a Class C felony for an example they can be imprisoned for between 5 and 10 years and be fined between one thousand and ten thousand dollars.

Some examples of Class C felonies are:

• Forgery In the First Degree: A person commits forgery that involves currency, precious items or any security that is issued by the government.
• Theft By Deception or Extortion Of $10,000 Or More: A person commits theft of property worth over one thousand dollars with or without the consent of his or her owner.

Class D Felonies

An A through D classification means that Class D felonies are among the least severe of all criminal offenses. Some of the Class D felonies that may be committed are jumping bail, solicitation and stalking. If for instance a person commits a Class D felony in Connecticut then he or she can be jailed for one to five years and pay up to $5,000.

Some examples of Class D felonies in Connecticut are:

• Carrying A Hand Gun Without Permission
• Criminal Use of a Firearm or Electronic Defense Weapon: A person possesses a firearm or electronic defense weapon during the commission of a Class A, B, C or an unclassified felony.