Offense Classes in Michigan (With minimum sentencing guideline ranges)

Note: Anything over a year is prison, and anything less is jail. Also, it is extremely unlikely that the low end would be met on any offense higher than a Class E felony. Finally, Habitual offender status may impact the guidelines below. This is merely to give you a basic understanding of the offense classes in Michigan.

Offense Classes:

• Class M2 Felony

• Example:

• 2nd Degree Murder

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 90-150 months, or 7.5-12.5 years on the low end.

• Maximum: Life.

• Class A Felony

• Example

• Assault with a deadly weapon with the INTENT to rob, steal, or kidnap.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 21-35 months, or 1.75 years to 2.91 years on the low end.

• Maximum: Life.

• Class B Felony

• Example

• Production of child pornography.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 0-18 months, or probation to 1.5 years on the low end.

• Maximum: 20 years.

• Class C Felony

• Example

• Manslaughter.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 0-11 months, or probation to jail time on the low end.

• Maximum: 15 years.

• Class D Felony

• Example

• Embezzlement of 20-50k.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 0-6 months, or probation to jail time on the low end.

• Maximum: 10 years.

• Class E Felony

• Example

• Carrying a firearm with unlawful intent. Also, first degree retail fraud.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 0-3 months, or probation to jail time on the low end.

• Maximum: 5 years.

• Class F Felony

• Example

• Unauthorized loan and credit application.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 0-3 months, or probation to jail time on the low end.

• Maximum: 4 years.

• Class G Felony

• Example

• Writing a known bad check over $500.

• Sentencing

• Minimum: 0-3 months, or probation to jail time on the low end.

• Maximum: 2 years.

• Misdemeanor

• Example

• Intentional discharge of a firearm (without intent to injure)

• Sentencing

• Minimum: Probation.

• Maximum: 1-year jail time.

• Note

• Any misdemeanor that can result in more than a year of incarceration is technically a Felony for sentencing purposes.

• Civil Infraction

• Example

• Minor in possession

• Sentencing

• Minimum: Fine

• Maximum: Fine, plus probation.

• Note:

• Minor in possession is one of the rare civil infractions that can result in a probationary period of sorts. Most civil infractions will result in a fine.