This chart describes certain prison sentences authorized for those convicted of certain crimes in New York state. (For more on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, click here). It is not comprehensive, entirely accurate, or a substitute for the advice of a New York State licensed attorney. This chart is a gloss on the state of the sentencing law at the time it was made. If you have been charged with a crime and are seeking to determine your exposure, you should not rely on this chart in any way, but should instead seek the advice of a New York State licensed attorney.
The first step in determining what your sentence may be is your sentencing status based on your criminal history (if any). Depending on your criminal history, you may be adjudicated a second felony offender, a second violent felony offender, or a persistent felony offender. There are also separately-defined sentencing statuses for “major traffickers” and other drug offenders.
Unless otherwise specified, the terms followed by numbers refer to years in prison. All references in the right column refer to the New York State Penal Law. The drug offenses in the chart reflect the law as it will be as of November 1, 2009. Penalties for drug offenses may be different from those listed in the chart if the conviction is before that date.
| MINIMUM | MAXIMUM | PL SECTIONS | |
| Class A-1 Felony (Non-Drug) | |||
| Murder 1 | |||
| No Record Considerations | 20 years to life imprisonment | Life imprisonment | 60.06, 70.00(3)(a)(i), 125.27 |
| Murder 2 | |||
| No Record Considerations | 20 years to life imprisonment | Life without parole | 125.25(5), 60.06, 70.00 |
| Terrorism, Criminal Possession/Use of Chemical or Biological Weapon | |||
| No Record Considerations | Life without parole | Life without parole | 60.06, 490.25, 490.45, 490.55 |
| Other A-1 Felonies | |||
| No Record Considerations | 15 – 25 Years | 25 years to life imprisonment | 70.00(2)(a), (3)(a)(i) |
| Class A-2 Felony (Non-Drug) | |||
| Predatory Sexual Assault or Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child | |||
| No prior felonies | 10 – 20 years | Life imprisonment | 130.95, 130.96, 70.00(3)(a)(ii) |
| Second felony offender | 15 years | Life imprisonment | 130.95, 130.96, 70.00(3)(a)(ii) |
| Persistent felony offender | 25 years | Life imprisonment | 130.95, 130.96, 70.00(3)(a)(ii) |
| Class B Felony (Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 5 determinate | 25 determinate | 70.02(1)(a), 70.02(3) |
| Second felony offender | 8 determinate | 25 determinate | 70.06(6) |
| Second violent felony offender | 10 determinate | 25 determinate | 70.04(3) |
| Class B Felony (Non-Drug, Non-Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 1 – 3 years | 8.33 – 25 years | 70.00(2)(b) |
| Second felony offender | 4.5 – 13.5 years | 8.33 – 25 years | 70.06(4)(b) |
| Class C Felony (Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 3.5 determinate | 15 determinate | 70.02(1)(b) |
| Second felony offender | 5 determinate | 15 determinate | 70.06(6) |
| Second violent felony offender | 7 determinate | 15 determinate | 70.04(3) |
| Class C Felony (Non-Drug Non-Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 1 – 3 years | 5 – 15 years | 70.00(2)(c) |
| Second felony offender | 5 determinate | 15 determinate | 70.06(6) |
| Class D Felony (Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 2 determinate | 7 determinate | 70.02(1)(c) |
| Second felony offender | 3 determinate | 7 determinate | 70.06(6) |
| Second violent felony offender | 5 determinate | 7 determinate | 70.04(3) |
| Class D Felony (Non-Drug Non-Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 1 – 2.5 years | 3 – 7 years | 55.05(1) |
| Second felony offender | 2 – 3.5 years | 4 – 7 years | 70.06(4)(b) |
| Class E Felony (Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 1.5 determinate | 4 determinate | 70.02(1)(d) |
| Second felony offender | 1.5 years | 4 years | 70.06(4)(b) |
| Second violent felony offender | 2 years | 4 years | 70.06(6) |
| Class E Felony (Non-Drug Non-Violent) | |||
| No prior felonies | 1 – 3 years | 1.33 – 4 years | 55.05(1) |
| Second felony offender | 2 determinate | 4 determinate | 70.06(6) |
| Drug Felony (Class A) | |||
| First felony drug offender (A-I) | 8 determinate | 20 determinate | 70.71(2)(b) |
| First felony drug offender (A-II) | Lifetime probation | 10 determinate | 70.71(2)(b)(ii), 70.71(c) |
| Second felony drug offender (A-I) | 12 determinate | 24 determinate | 70.71(3)(b)(i) |
| Second felony drug offender (A-II) | 6 determinate | 14 determinate | 70.71(3)(b)(ii) |
| Second felony drug offender (Violent)(A-I) | 15 determinate | 30 determinate | 70.71(4)(b)(i) |
| Second felony drug offender (Violent)(A-II) | 8 determinate | 17 determinate | 70.71(4)(b)(ii) |
| Major Trafficker | 15 – 25 years | 25 years to life imprisonment | 70.71(5), 70.00(2)(a) |
| Drug Felony (other than Class A) | |||
| First felony drug offender | Probation | 9 determinate | 70.70, 65.00, 60.04 |
| Second felony drug offender (B) | Lifetime probation | 12 determinate | 70.70, 65.00, 60.04 |
| Second felony drug offender (C) | Probation | 8 determinate | 70.70, 65.00, 60.04 |
| Second felony drug offender (D) | Probation | 4 determinate | 70.70, 65.00, 60.04 |
| Second felony drug offender (E) | Probation | 2 determinate | 70.70, 65.00, 60.04 |
| Second felony drug offender (Violent)(B) | 6 determinate | 15 determinate | 70.70, 400.21 |
| Second felony drug offender (Violent)(C) | 3.5 determinate | 9 determinate | 70.70, 400.21 |
| Second felony drug offender (Violent)(D) | 2.5 determinate | 4.5 determinate | 70.70, 400.21 |
| Second felony drug offender (Violent)(D) | 2 determinate | 2.5 determinate | 70.70, 400.21 |
| Class A Misdemeanor | |||
| No record considerations | Conditional discharge | 1 year determinate | 70.15(2), 85.00(2)(a) |
| Class B Misdemeanor | |||
| No record considerations | Conditional discharge | 6 months determinate | 70.15(1), 85.00(2)(a), (3) |
| Unclassified Misdemeanor | |||
| No record considerations | Specified in law | Specified in law | |
| Unclassified Misdemeanor | |||
| No record considerations | Conditional discharge | 1 year determinate | 55.10.(2)(b) |
| Violation | |||
| No record considerations | Conditional discharge | 15 days’ jail determinate | 55.10(3), 70.15(4), 85.00(2)(a), (3) |
| Marijuana Violation | |||
| First offense | Fine | $100 fine | 221.05 |
| Second offense (within 3 years) | Fine | $200 fine | 221.05 |
| Third offense (within 3 years) | Fine | 15 days’ jail | 221.05 |