Types of Felony Crimes in New York (2024)

You may be surprised by the numerous types of felony crimes in New York and what legal repercussions you may face if convicted. If you’re facing a felony charge, it’s important that you seek legal representation right away. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Vitaliano Law Firm have successfully handled several felony cases.

Classes of Violent and Non-Violent Felonies in NY

A felony crime is considered more serious than a misdemeanor offense. There are numerous felony offenses in the state, and the law categorizes them into various classes based on the level of malice and severity. The felony classes and examples of each classification are as follows:

• Class E. Felonies in this class are determined to be the least severe but still significant enough to be subject to felony status and punishment. Violent Class E felony offenses include persistent sexual abuse, fourth-degree aggravated sexual abuse, and falsely reporting an incident in the second degree. Non-violent felonies include issuing a false certificate, receiving a sports bribe, second-degree identity theft, and attempting to commit a Class D felony.
• Class D. These offenses are classified as one class of severity above Class E felonies. Violent Class D crimes include stalking in the first degree, making terroristic threats, reckless assault of a child, and attempting to commit a Class C-level violent offense. Non-violent crimes in this class include third-degree grand larceny, first-degree criminal trespassing, and money laundering in the third degree.
• Class C. More serious than Class D felonies but not as severe as offenses under Class B. Violent crimes in the category include assaulting a judge, first-degree strangulation, second-degree robbery or burglary, and attempting to commit a violent Class B felony. Non-violent offenses include aggravated vehicular assault, manslaughter in the second degree, and third-degree arson.
• Class B. Felony crimes in this class are deemed to be highly serious but not as severe as those in Class A. Violent offenses include first-degree burglary, aggravated assault against a police officer, and kidnapping in the second degree. Non-violent Class B felonies include first-degree insurance, healthcare, or life settlement fraud; aggravated vehicular homicide; and attempting to commit a Class A-I felony.
• Class A. Felonies in Class A are further categorized into A-I and A-II offenses, the latter being slightly less severe. Class A-II felonies include predatory sexual assault and second-degree unlawful sale or possession of a controlled substance. Class A-I felonies include murder, crimes of terrorism, and first-degree kidnapping.

Criminal Penalties for a Felony Conviction in NY

The legal penalties following a felony conviction can vary depending on the defendant’s criminal history, whether they’ve been previously convicted of a felony and other relevant factors. Additionally, non-violent felonies are likely to result in a lesser sentence since defendants convicted of a violent felony are unable to negotiate for decreased punishment or probation.

Class E felony crimes are punishable by up to four years of jail time and no less than one year at minimum. For Class D felonies, the maximum incarceration sentence is seven years, and violent offenses in this category have a minimum jail sentence of two years. Class C crimes are punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment, and violent felonies have a minimum sentencing of 3 ½ years. Violent Class B felonies entail up to 25 years of prison and no less than five years.

Felony offenses under Class A are punishable by up to 25 years or life in prison. In addition to prison, punishment for a felony conviction includes penalty fines, providing restitution to any victims affected, and other potential sentencing such as a drug treatment program or community service.

FAQs

What Do Felony Classifications Mean in NY?

NY law categorizes felony crimes into classes from A to E, with Class E felonies being the least severe. The reason for this is to organize the numerous offenses into standardized classifications based on the severity and malice within the crime.

This also allows for each crime designation to have standardized guidelines for prison sentence times. Each felony class includes violent and non-violent crimes as well as many crimes having various degrees of severity that are placed into separate classes.

What Are Some Non-Violent Felonies?

Examples of non-violent felony crimes in the state include various white-collar offenses such as conspiracy, grand larceny, many forms of fraud, bribery, and money laundering. Additionally, in the state’s system of classifying felonies, some violent crimes are identified as violent crimes in their lower degrees of severity. For example, rape in the third degree is under Class E as a non-violent felony, whereas rape in the second degree is a Class D violent felony.

Can You Be Charged for a Felony After Years in NY?

In the state, it is possible to be charged with a felony years after the alleged crime was committed. The statute of limitations is known as the amount of time that prosecutors have to charge a suspected offender with a crime. Many felonies have a statute of limitations of five years, but some may be less depending on the facts of the situation. However, some felony offenses have no statute of limitations, such as rape and first-degree murder.

How Can You Fight Felony Charges?

Your strongest chance of fighting a felony charge is with the help of a qualified, proficient defense lawyer — one with experience in felony cases. Your criminal defense attorney can assess your situation and find out whether you have a chance of contesting the charges or if it’d be most advantageous to negotiate a plea bargain. An adept criminal defender can build a compelling case in your defense, either asserting your innocence or why the charges should be decreased.

Speak with a Skilled Felony Defense Attorney

It can feel hopeless at times when you’ve been accused of a felony, potentially facing steep criminal penalties. You shouldn’t simply accept the charges, and you don’t have to go through it alone. At The Vitaliano Law Firm, our criminal defense lawyers can create a strong defense on your behalf and ensure you don’t face maximum punishment. Contact our team today to schedule an initial consultation.