When it comes to crimes, Connecticut has quite a few on the books, They range from relatively minor offenses (like operating a kennel without a license) to major crimes like arson, sexual assault, and murder. On the less serious side of the scale, misdemeanor crimes include offenses that are punishable by 364 days or less in jail.
Misdemeanors in Connecticut are classified as Class A, B, C, or D, ranging from most to least serious. There are also unclassified misdemeanors, for which the punishment is specified in the statute. Although misdemeanors are not as severe as felonies, you should still contact our Connecticut misdemeanor lawyers to protect your rights if you have been charged with this type of crime.
The Sills Law Firm advocates for the rights of people charged with criminal offenses in Connecticut. We work hard to help our clients get the best possible outcome for their case, regardless of what type of criminal charge they are currently facing. If you are facing misdemeanor charges in Connecticut, contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation.
The Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony
Most states – including Connecticut – have two major categories of crimes. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses than felonies. A misdemeanor is punished by up to 364 days in jail, while a felony is a crime that is punished by a term in state prison for 1 year or longer.
Although a misdemeanor is a less serious offense, it is still a crime. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you will have a criminal record. While you may be able to have the record expunged after a period of time, it can still affect your life until that happens.
Misdemeanor offenses include everything from relatively minor motor vehicle offenses like reckless driving to more serious charges like assault in the third degree, reckless endangerment, and harassment. For any criminal charge – including misdemeanor offenses – you should retain a Connecticut criminal defense attorney to represent you and protect your rights.
Classes of Misdemeanors
In Connecticut, there are four classes of misdemeanors. A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious category, while a Class D misdemeanor is the least serious offense. Importantly, a conviction for any misdemeanor could result in jail time and fines.
Class A Misdemeanors
Class A misdemeanors are the most serious type of misdemeanor. Examples of crimes that may be graded as a Class A misdemeanor include:
- Prostitution
- Patronizing a prostitute
- Delivery of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of an assault weapon
- Third-degree assault
- Threatening in the second-degree
- Reckless endangerment in the first degree
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Criminal trespass
- Sexual assault in the fourth-degree
- Inciting a riot
- Criminal trespass in the first degree
- Credit card theft
- Unlawful restraint in the second-degree
- Joyriding
- Larceny in the fourth-degree
- Escape from custody
- Unlawfully concealing a will
- Disrupting a funeral
- Computer crime in the fourth-degree
Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to 1 year in jail, plus a fine of up to $2,000. A court may also impose other terms as part of a sentence for a crime in this category.
Class B Misdemeanors
A Class B misdemeanor is a less serious type of crime. This category of crime includes offenses such as:
- Unlawful assembly
- Stalking in the third-degree
- Public indecency
- Reckless Endangerment
- Criminal trespass in the second-degree
- Criminal mischief in the third-degree
- Larceny in the fifth-degree
- Issuing a bad check (between $250 and $500)
- Forget in the third-degree
- Obscenity
- Computer crime in the fifth-degree
- Negligent hunting in the third-degree
- Riot in the second-degree
- Cheating while gambling
- Criminal damage to a landlord’s property
Class B misdemeanors are punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, plus a fine of up to $1,000. A court may also impose other penalties, such as community service.
Class C Misdemeanors
A Class C misdemeanor is a far less serious category of crime. It may include offenses such as:
- Criminal trespass in the third-degree
- Criminal mischief in the fourth-degree
- Petty larceny
- Criminal mischief in the fourth-degree
- Larceny in the sixth-degree
- Fraudulent use of an ATM
- Issuing a bad check ($250 or less)
- Harassment in the second-degree
- Disorderly conduct
- Drinking while operating a motor vehicle
- Criminal lockout
- Smoking marijuana while driving
- Drinking while operating a motor vehicle
- Loitering in or about school grounds
- Obstructing free passage
Class C misdemeanors are punishable by up to 3 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
Class D Misdemeanors
Class D misdemeanors are the least serious misdemeanors under Connecticut’s penal code. Examples of this type of crime include:
- Throwing objects at cars
- Smoking marijuana as a vehicle passenger
- Tattooing without a permit
A Class D misdemeanor is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.
Unclassified Misdemeanors
In addition to these misdemeanor offenses, there are a number of other crimes that are considered “unclassified.” An unclassified misdemeanor is not necessarily more serious than Class A, B, C, or D misdemeanors. Instead, it simply means that the penalty for the offense will be defined by the statute that sets forth the crime.
There are many different unclassified misdemeanors, many of which do not fit neatly into a “box” along with other offenses (such as different degrees of harassment or stalking, for example). Examples of unclassified misdemeanors include:
- Violating a transportation emergency order, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
- Violating the State Personnel Act, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
- Illegally issuing a vital records certificate, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $150
- Fraudulent voter registration, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $500
- Illegal disclosure of tax information, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
- Violating corporate business tax requirements, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
- Failure to comply with motor vehicle fuel tax requirements, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
- Reckless driving, greater than 85 miles per hour, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $600
- Illegal racing on a highway, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
- Operating an aircraft under the influence, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $500
- False reporting of child abuse, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $2,000
- Illegal acts – public accountants, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of $1,000
Like other types of misdemeanors, an unclassified misdemeanor has the potential to lead to jail time and a fine. If you have been charged with an unclassified misdemeanor or any other offense, our Connecticut criminal defense attorneys will help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Enhanced Misdemeanor Penalties in Connecticut
In Connecticut, misdemeanors are categorized or considered unclassified. However, if you have a prior conviction for a misdemeanor crime, then it may result in a much more serious charge – and penalty. Generally, a second and subsequent misdemeanor offense will result in the crime being increased by one misdemeanor degree.
For example, if you were previously convicted of Class A misdemeanor stalking and are arrested on a new stalking charge, it will be bumped up to a Class D or E felony. If you were convicted of Harassment in the Second-degree, a Class C misdemeanor, then a second offense will be charged as a Class B misdemeanor. This enhancement can greatly increase the potential penalty, particularly if it is elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Defending Against a Misdemeanor Charge in Connecticut
A misdemeanor might be a less serious criminal offense – but it still will mean that you will have a criminal record if convicted. While you may be tempted to just take a deal offered by the prosecutor, doing so could be a mistake – especially if you agree to something before consulting with a lawyer.
There are often many potential defenses to Connecticut criminal charges. This may include basic factual defenses, such as having an alibi or not actually being in possession of drugs. It may also involve a more complicated legal defense.
Criminal defense lawyers are often able to raise constitutional challenges to the legality and sufficiency of evidence in a case. For example, if the police searched your house without a warrant – or an exception to the warrant requirement – then any evidence that they seized could be thrown out of court. This may result in the charges against you being reduced or dismissed.
In many cases, your Connecticut misdemeanor defense attorney will be able to negotiate a far better plea deal than you could on your own. When the prosecutor won’t back down or offer a fair deal, they can take the case to trial to hold the state to its burden of proof. In each situation, your attorney will stand by your side throughout the process and will protect your rights.
Charged with a Misdemeanor in Connecticut? Give Us a Call.
A misdemeanor offense includes any crime that is punishable by less than a year in county jail. While these crimes are considered less severe than felonies, you should still take a misdemeanor charge seriously. Our law offices will work with you to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
The Sills Law Firm represents clients in Connecticut who are facing both felony charges and misdemeanor charges. We are adept at handling all types of criminal charges, ranging from relatively minor traffic violations to violent crimes. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Connected, reach out to our law firm at 866-971-3909 (Hartford) or 203-591-1935 (Waterbury) or fill out our online contact form to talk to a Connecticut criminal attorney.
Will I Go to Jail If Convicted of a Connecticut Misdemeanor?
For any Connecticut misdemeanor conviction, there is a possibility of jail time. However, there may be a way to avoid spending time in jail with the help of a Connecticut misdemeanor defense attorney. This may include entering into a pretrial diversion program or serving your sentence on probation instead of while incarcerated.
Participation in pretrial probation or being sentenced to probation is not automatic. Our experienced misdemeanor lawyers will advocate to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Contact the Sills Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation.
Can I Get My Misdemeanor Record Expunged?
In Connecticut, you might be able to have your misdemeanor record expunged if it was a non-violent offense and the conviction had no “victim interest.” You must also wait 3 years after a misdemeanor conviction to seek an expungement pardon with the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Parole.
The pardon process can take time to complete and includes multiple steps. Our Connecticut expungement attorneys can help you determine if you are eligible for a pardon – and can help you with the paperwork and any hearing that you might be required to attend. Call The Sills Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our legal team.
