A class 6 felony is a severe felony in most states, but is also the least serious kind of felony. Felonies are classed by numbers, starting with Class 1 felonies. The most serious felonies are class 1 felonies that are the most serious offenses. If you are charged with a felony, the class 6 felony would be considered the best one to be charged with.
In many cases, your lawyer and the prosecutor can work together to bring this charge down to a misdemeanor. Learn more about this kind of felony and what its implications are for those accused.
What is a Class 6 Felony?
A class 6 felony is a criminal charge that is at the lowest rank in the ranking of felonies. Most states have class 6 felonies. There are approximately 200 crimes that rank as class 6 felonies.
This is a felony that can be reduced to a misdemeanor in some cases. Among the most common kinds of class 6 felonies are the following:
- Sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 16 or 15
- Theft and/or possession of burglary tools
- Shoplifting
- Some kinds of domestic violence
- Drug paraphernalia possession
- Eluding or resisting arrest
These are just a few of the felonies that fall in the class 6 category. These felonies will have sentencing guidelines. In some states, some class 6 felonies can be reduced to a misdemeanor.
In Arizona for example, ARS 13-604 says that someone convicted of a class 6 felony may have it reduced to a class 1 misdemeanor if it is not a violent or dangerous offense. If a judge believes the sentencing would be unduly harsh for the crime, it can be reduced.
This happens in many states all the time. A criminal defense attorney could work with the prosecutor on this. A judge will make the final decision either way.
The statute of limitations for charging any kind of felony will vary by state. In Arizona for example, the statute of limitations on class 6 felonies is 7 years. This means that the accused can be charged within 7 years of committing the crime.
Consequences for Class 6 Felonies
The consequences for class 6 felonies will vary depending on the nature of the offense, and whether the accused has prior offenses on their record.
If there are no prior felonies, sentencing guidelines will be light. Depending on the nature of the offense, sentencing can be as high as a few years in jail. The more felonies on an individual’s record, the worse their situation will be when it comes to sentencing. In the case of first-time dangerous offenses, jail or prison sentencing is usually mandatory.
The Undesignated Felony
There is such a thing as the undesignated felony. This is also sometimes called an open felony. You might hear this term with class 6 felonies.
This is a felony charge that is undesignated as a felony at the time of the charge. This kind of class 6 felony has the best chance of being reduced to a misdemeanor. If the accused completes their sentencing and probation without problems, they can petition the court for a class 6 felony reduction in the charge.
Seek Legal Advice
If you or a loved one has been charged with a class 6 felonies, you will need legal advice to help you with this problem. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you or a loved one with a class 6 felony charge. Get a free consultation with a criminal defense attorney today.
