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BASICS: Michigan Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences
Michigan classifies offenses as misdemeanors or felonies. Felonies are serious crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Michigan law categorizes felonies into nine classes: Class M2 and Classes A to H. First-degree murder, Class M2 and A felonies are the most serious felony crimes in Michigan. FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs. How Does Michigan Classify Felony Offenses?Michigan uses nine felony classifications. Below are the maximum penalties set by class and examples of crimes within each classification. First-degree murder does not have a classification, because it carries a mandatory sentence of life without parole.
FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs. Class M2 Felony in MichiganClass M2 applies only to the crime of second-degree murder and can be punished by life or any number of years in prison; hence, the name M2.
Class A Felonies in MichiganClass A felonies are punishable by up to life in prison or any number of years in prison. These include assault with a deadly weapon with intent to rob or steal, kidnapping, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Class B Felonies in MichiganClass B felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. These include second-degree arson, second-degree child abuse (repeat offense), and the production of child sexually abusive material (child pornography).
Class C Felonies in MichiganClass C felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in prison. These include manslaughter, human trafficking resulting in injury, and robbery.
Class D Felonies in MichiganClass D felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. These include larceny of property valued at $20,000 or more, embezzlement of property valued at $20,000 or more, and breaking and entering.
Class E Felonies in MichiganClass E felonies are punishable by up to 5 years in prison. These include aggravated stalking, first-degree retail fraud (shoplifting), and home invasion in the third degree.
Class F Felonies in MichiganClass F felonies are punishable by up to 4 years in prison. These include falsely reporting a felony crime, dropping dangerous objects on vehicles resulting in injuries, and committing a crime when wearing body armor.
Class G Felonies in MichiganClass G felonies are punishable by up to 2 years in prison. These include ethnic intimidation, squatting (second offense), nonconsensual social media posts (cyberbullying), and harassing a police dog.
Class H Felonies in MichiganClass H felonies are crimes for which the defendant can be sentenced to time in jail or to alternatives such as probation, treatment, or electronic monitoring. Sentences for these crimes are variable and governed by the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines. These include include lottery violations, joyriding, and lewd surveillance. FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs. How Does Felony Sentencing Work in Michigan?Felony classifications are found in the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines. Judges use these guidelines to determine the most appropriate sentence for a particular crime based on:
Felony Class (M2, A to H) offense category a crime against a person, property, public order, public trust or public safety or a drug crime, prior criminal history, and offense variables like as targeting a vulnerable victim or multiple victims. A Michigan court also can impose fines as part of the sentence for any felony. The amount of the fine depends on the specific crime for which the defendant is being sentenced.
Habitual Offender Sentencing in MichiganDefendants facing a second or subsequent felony conviction may fall under Michigan's habitual offender sentencing provisions. Depending on the offense and the defendant's criminal history, the law may impose a longer minimum sentence or maximum sentence.
Michigan Criminal Statute of LimitationsMichigan law requires criminal charges be filed within a certain amount of time after a crime is committed or believed to have been committed. These time limits are called criminal statutes of limitations. The length of time varies for crimes, ranging from 6 to 25 years. A few crimes, such as murder, have no time limit and can be filed at any time. If the prosecution charges someone after the time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed. For more information on the criminal statute of limitations, see Criminal Statutes of Limitations in Michigan.
The Value of Good RepresentationIf you are facing felony charges in Michigan, contact a local criminal defense attorney. A felony conviction can mean not only time behind bars and steep fines, but also a criminal record. A felony conviction can make it difficult to get a job, housing, or loan. It can also subject you to harsher penalties if you are convicted of another offense in the future.
References: MCL §§ 750.316, 750.317, 777.1 to 777.69 (2023).
Siver & Associates, PLLC is a law firm with experienced attorneys, who have built our firm on the premise - all people facing criminal charges deserve aggressive, smart, and compassionate legal representation. We care about our client’s cases, and devote the time and resources needed to help them through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Though no outcome can be guaranteed, we are determined to get you the best possible result for your case, no matter the circumstances. FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs.
Michigan classifies offenses as misdemeanors or felonies. Felonies are serious crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Michigan law categorizes felonies into nine classes: Class M2 and Classes A to H. First-degree murder, Class M2 and A felonies are the most serious felony crimes in Michigan. FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs. How Does Michigan Classify Felony Offenses?Michigan uses nine felony classifications. Below are the maximum penalties set by class and examples of crimes within each classification. First-degree murder does not have a classification, because it carries a mandatory sentence of life without parole.
FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs. Class M2 Felony in MichiganClass M2 applies only to the crime of second-degree murder and can be punished by life or any number of years in prison; hence, the name M2.
Class A Felonies in MichiganClass A felonies are punishable by up to life in prison or any number of years in prison. These include assault with a deadly weapon with intent to rob or steal, kidnapping, and first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Class B Felonies in MichiganClass B felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison. These include second-degree arson, second-degree child abuse (repeat offense), and the production of child sexually abusive material (child pornography).
Class C Felonies in MichiganClass C felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in prison. These include manslaughter, human trafficking resulting in injury, and robbery.
Class D Felonies in MichiganClass D felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in prison. These include larceny of property valued at $20,000 or more, embezzlement of property valued at $20,000 or more, and breaking and entering.
Class E Felonies in MichiganClass E felonies are punishable by up to 5 years in prison. These include aggravated stalking, first-degree retail fraud (shoplifting), and home invasion in the third degree.
Class F Felonies in MichiganClass F felonies are punishable by up to 4 years in prison. These include falsely reporting a felony crime, dropping dangerous objects on vehicles resulting in injuries, and committing a crime when wearing body armor.
Class G Felonies in MichiganClass G felonies are punishable by up to 2 years in prison. These include ethnic intimidation, squatting (second offense), nonconsensual social media posts (cyberbullying), and harassing a police dog.
Class H Felonies in MichiganClass H felonies are crimes for which the defendant can be sentenced to time in jail or to alternatives such as probation, treatment, or electronic monitoring. Sentences for these crimes are variable and governed by the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines. These include include lottery violations, joyriding, and lewd surveillance. FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs. How Does Felony Sentencing Work in Michigan?Felony classifications are found in the Michigan Sentencing Guidelines. Judges use these guidelines to determine the most appropriate sentence for a particular crime based on:
Felony Class (M2, A to H) offense category a crime against a person, property, public order, public trust or public safety or a drug crime, prior criminal history, and offense variables like as targeting a vulnerable victim or multiple victims. A Michigan court also can impose fines as part of the sentence for any felony. The amount of the fine depends on the specific crime for which the defendant is being sentenced.
Habitual Offender Sentencing in MichiganDefendants facing a second or subsequent felony conviction may fall under Michigan's habitual offender sentencing provisions. Depending on the offense and the defendant's criminal history, the law may impose a longer minimum sentence or maximum sentence.
Michigan Criminal Statute of LimitationsMichigan law requires criminal charges be filed within a certain amount of time after a crime is committed or believed to have been committed. These time limits are called criminal statutes of limitations. The length of time varies for crimes, ranging from 6 to 25 years. A few crimes, such as murder, have no time limit and can be filed at any time. If the prosecution charges someone after the time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed. For more information on the criminal statute of limitations, see Criminal Statutes of Limitations in Michigan.
The Value of Good RepresentationIf you are facing felony charges in Michigan, contact a local criminal defense attorney. A felony conviction can mean not only time behind bars and steep fines, but also a criminal record. A felony conviction can make it difficult to get a job, housing, or loan. It can also subject you to harsher penalties if you are convicted of another offense in the future.
References: MCL §§ 750.316, 750.317, 777.1 to 777.69 (2023).
Siver & Associates, PLLC is a law firm with experienced attorneys, who have built our firm on the premise - all people facing criminal charges deserve aggressive, smart, and compassionate legal representation. We care about our client’s cases, and devote the time and resources needed to help them through some of the most difficult times of their lives. Though no outcome can be guaranteed, we are determined to get you the best possible result for your case, no matter the circumstances. FREE CONSULTATIONContact us today for your free consultation from our Kent County, Allegan County, Muskegon County, Ottawa County, & All of Michigan criminal defense law firm, with attorneys who understand their clients needs.
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