FELONY CHARGES ARE VERY SERIOUS. IN CONNECTICUT, FELONIES FACE A        MINIMUM ONE-YEAR STATE PRISON TERM. FELONY CHARGES ARE BROKEN DOWN INTO SPECIFIC DESIGNATIONS: CAPITAL, A, B, C, OR D.

Capital Felony

Until 2012 capital felonies committed in Connecticut were punishable by the death penalty, however; in April of 2012 Connecticut abolished the death penalty. Capital felony charges in Connecticut now come with a life sentence without the possibility of parole. An example of a capital felony in Connecticut is murder with special circumstances. (Connecticut General Statute § 53a-35a.)

Class A Felony

In Connecticut, Class A felonies are considered the most serious after Capital felonies. Prison terms for Class A felony convictions range from 10 years to life imprisonment with additional fines up to $20,000. An example of a Class A felony is aggravated sexual assault 1st degree. (Connecticut General Statute § § 53a-35a, 53a-41.)

Class B Felony

Class B felonies are considered a step down from Class A felonies. A Class B felony conviction can result in a prison sentence of one to 40 years and additional fines up to $15,000. An example of a Class B felony in Connecticut is manslaughter 1st degree. (Connecticut General Statute § § 53a-35a, 53a-41.)

Class C Felony

Class C felonies are one step below Class B. A Class C felony conviction can result in a prison sentence ranging from one to 10 years and additional fines up to $10,000. An example of a Class C felony is intimidating a witness. (Connecticut General Statute § § 53a-35a, 53a-41.)

Class D Felony

Class D felonies are considered the least serious felony charges in Connecticut. A Class D felony conviction can result in a state prison sentence ranging from one to five years and additional fines up to $5,000. An example of a Class D felony is threatening 1st degree. (Connecticut General Statute § § 53a-35a, 53a-41.)

Unclassified Felony

Certain crimes in Connecticut may come with an Unclassified Felony charge. If a crime is an Unclassified Felony than the sentence will be stated in the statute defining the crime. (Connecticut General Statute § § 53a-25, 53a-35, 53a-35a.)