18 U.S.C. § 3559 – Sentencing classification of offenses (classification of misdemeanor classes)
This statute explains how federal misdemeanor offenses are grouped into different classes based on the maximum jail time allowed.
Section 3559 sets the general class system for federal crimes. While the full statute covers both felonies and misdemeanors, this page focuses on the misdemeanor classifications found in subsection (a). These classes help determine how serious a misdemeanor is and what sentencing limits apply in federal court.
(a) Misdemeanor classifications.
If a federal law does not already give a misdemeanor a letter class, the offense is classified based on the longest jail sentence the statute allows. The misdemeanor classes are:
- Class A misdemeanor — more than 6 months but no more than 1 year in jail
- Class B misdemeanor — more than 30 days but no more than 6 months in jail
- Class C misdemeanor — more than 5 days but no more than 30 days in jail
- Infraction — 5 days or less in jail, or no jail time at all
These categories help judges understand the seriousness of the offense and determine sentencing ranges and related penalties.
(b) Effect of classification.
A misdemeanor that receives one of these letter grades is treated the same as other offenses in that class. However, the maximum punishment is still limited by the specific statute that defines the crime.
This means the class provides a general framework, but a judge can’t impose more jail time than the law for that offense allows.
Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP for more information from our federal criminal defense attorneys.
