Felony Offenses
The Pennsylvania Crimes Code categorizes crimes into three categories: felonies, misdemeanors, and summary offenses. Felonies and misdemeanors get their category based on the severity of the offense. The three classes of felonies are Felony 1 (F1), Felony 2 (F2), and Felony 3 (F3). Murder of the first and second degree have their own classes (“H1” and “H2”) but can be considered felonies.
Penalties
The minimum and maximum penalties for felonies are as follows:
| Category | Incarceration | Fine | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felony 1 | 10 -20 years | $25,000 | Third Degree Murder, Voluntary Manslaughter, Burglary of a Home, Robbery (Threatening Serious Injury), Aggravated Assault (Attempting/Causing Serious Injury), Kidnapping, Rape |
| Felony 2 | 5-10 years | $25,000 | Involuntary Manslaughter (when victim is under 12), Aiding or Soliciting a Suicide, Sexual Assault, Owning or Operating a Chop Shop, Interference with Custody of Children |
| Felony 3 | 3 ½ – 7 years | $15,000 | Criminal Trespass, Third (or more) Retail Theft, Homicide By Vehicle, Theft of over $2000 or of Motor Vehicle, Bribery, Perjury |
While the chart above includes offenses in each category, the classification is not always clear. There are a number of factors that determine what penalties you might receive if found guilty. These include the seriousness of the offense, your prior record, and factual circumstances of the case.
For example, robbery is an F3 when one takes property from another person using force. It is an F2 if the person hurts or threatens to hurt the victim during the theft. It is an F1 if the person seriously hurts, or threatens to seriously hurt or kill, the victim, usually with a weapon.
Particular felonies, mostly drug-related offenses, have no degree. These are called “ungraded” felonies and their penalty will vary based on the kind of drugs, the amount of the drugs, and whether the person has prior drug offenses.
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Specific facts often dictate the category of the offense. That is why it is important to consult a Norristown criminal defense attorney who can evaluate the charges against you and the specific facts of your case.
