In Washington State crimes are classified as Misdemeanors, Gross Misdemeanors and Felonies and there are three classes of Felonies: Class C, Class B and Class A. These classifications are defined by the sentencing range assigned to them by the State Legislature. The sentencing range of these classifications varies from minimal county jail time to a sentence of death or life in prison without possibility of parole.
Misdemeanors are all crimes with a sentencing range of zero to ninety days in jail and/or a fine of zero to one thousand dollars. Gross Misdemeanors have a sentencing range of zero to twelve months in jail and/or a fine of zero to five thousand dollars.
Attorney Washington
The three classes of felonies are defined as follows: Class C felonies have a maximum sentence of five years in a state prison and a fine of not more than ,000. Class B felonies have a maximum sentence of 10 years in a state prison with a maximum fine of not more than ,000. Class A felonies are punishable by up to life in prison and up to a ,000 fine, with the irregularity of aggravated murder which is punishable by a sentence of death or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In the case of misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors the sentencing judge will typically enforce a sentence below the maximum suspending the remainder and placing the individual on a term of either supervised or unsupervised probation.
Felonies are ranked by serious level from one to fifteen. Defendants are ranked by prior convictions from one to nine. A pre-determined accepted range (minimum to maximum months) is then applied based on the serious level and the defendant's prior offender score. Thus, a defendant with a prior conviction score of zero would receive a shorter sentence than a defendant with a score of five assuming the same level of seriousness.
This classification and accepted range sentencing scheme was adopted by the Washington State Legislature as the Sentencing Reform Act as amended in 1997 and is intended to equalize sentencing throughout the state's many jurisdictions. Sentencing outside of the accepted range is appealable by either the defendant or the prosecutor.
Misdemeanor, Gross Misdemeanor and Felony Sentencing - In Washington State
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