You asked for a breakdown of all offenses contained in the Connecticut Penal Code (Title 53a of the General Statutes). You wanted them listed in chart form with information on penalties. This report updates previous reports to reflect changes passed through 2001. We have also included some crimes from Title 53, because they are clearly designated as a specific class of felony or misdemeanor.

Criminal offenses in Connecticut are classified as felonies, which are offenses punishable by imprisonment for over one year, and misdemeanors, which are offenses punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year. In turn, felonies are classified according to severity as capital, class A, class B, class C, and class D. Misdemeanors are classified as class A, class B, and class C. There are unclassified felonies and misdemeanors which are offenses punishable by imprisonment but not designated under one of the above listed classes. However, unclassified felonies and misdemeanors, except for arson murder, appear in other titles of the statutes, not the penal code. We have not included these other unclassified felonies in this report. Punishments for the various offenses are contained in Table 1.

Terms of imprisonment in Connecticut must be for specific periods of time. The figures in Table 1 present a range within which the judge must set the specific sentence. The judge also sets the exact amount of a fine, up to the established limits. A judge may impose a fine, a term of imprisonment, or both a fine and a term of imprisonment.

Table 1: Penalties for Connecticut Penal Code Offenses

Classification of Crime Imprisonment Fine

Capital felony execution or life -

Class A felony (murder) 25 to 60 years up to $ 20,000

Class A felony 10 to 25 years up to $ 20,000

Class B felony 1 to 20 years up to $ 15,000

Class C felony 1 to 10 years up to $ 10,000

Class D felony 1 to 5 years up to $ 5,000

Class A misdemeanor up to 1 year up to $ 2,000

Class B misdemeanor up to 6 months up to $ 1,000

Class C misdemeanor up to 3 months up to $ 500

In addition to the penalties contained in Table 1, certain offenses carry a mandatory minimum penalty. These are indicated in Table 2, which contains all of the offenses arranged by class. The mandatory minimum appears in parentheses after the crime. CGS §§ 53a-28 and 53a-29 prohibit suspension or reduction of any sentence for a class A felony meaning that the 10-year minimum sentence for class A felonies becomes a mandatory minimum. However, kidnapping in the first degree with a firearm (CGS § 53a-92a), which is a class A felony, has a legislatively set mandatory minimum of one year. And, the unclassified felony arson murder (CGS § 53a-54d) has a sentence of life imprisonment, but since it is not a class A felony any part of this sentence can be suspended or reduced. This situation has led the Connecticut Supreme Court, in two cases cited in Table 2, to rule that in conflicting sentencing provisions when the more serious crime carries the lesser penalty, this penalty must prevail and be applied to the less serious crime.

Two laws affect the penal code in a general way. CGS § 53a-40a provides an enhanced penalty for a person found to be a persistent offender of statutes covering crimes involving bigotry or bias. CGS § 53a-40b provides for enhanced penalties for people convicted of an offense committed while they are released awaiting trial.

CGS § 53-202j requires a mandatory, minimum eight-year sentence for anyone who uses, threatens to use, displays, or purports to have an assault weapon while committing a class A, B, or C felony. This eight-year sentence is in addition and consecutive to any imprisonment for the felony. CGS § 53-202k requires a mandatory, minimum five-year sentence for anyone who uses, threatens to use, displays, or purports to have a firearm other than an assault weapon while committing a class A, B, or C felony. This five-year sentence is in addition and consecutive to any imprisonment for the felony.

CGS §§ 53a-29 and 30 authorize judges to sentence serious sexual assault offenders who have more than one conviction or have assaulted young victims to probation for up to 35 years and to require them to undergo special sexual offender treatment as a condition of probation. CGS § 53a-40c requires courts to impose additional sentences of psychological counseling on individuals convicted of sexually assaulting victims under age 11.

CGS § 53a-136a establishes an enhanced penalty of a three-year mandatory, minimum term of imprisonment for committing a robbery by knowingly taking a motor vehicle that is occupied. The mandatory sentence is in addition and consecutive to any other prison term imposed for the offense.

CGS § 53a-40 authorizes the court to impose under the persistent dangerous felony offender law up to 40 years, based on one previous violent felony conviction, and a sentence of up to life, based on two such previous convictions. (By law, a sentence of life imprisonment means a definite sentence of 60 years. ) The law requires a court to impose an enhanced sentence if it determines the public interest would best be served by the sentence. In Table 2, we have indicated with an asterisk those crimes which are subject to this persistent dangerous felony offender provision.

CGS § 53a-40f authorizes an increased criminal penalty for persistent operating-under-the influence felony offenders (people convicted of manslaughter or 2^nd degree assault with a motor vehicle who have prior convictions for these offenses or a DWI conviction during the prior 10 years). The court can impose the prison sentence for the next most serious felony if warranted by the person's history and character.

Table 2: Offenses Arranged by Class

Offense Section

CAPITAL FELONY

Capital felony (specified types of murder) 53a-54b

UNCLASSIFIED FELONY

Arson murder-unintentional death during arson (penalty life imprisonment) 53a-54d

CLASS A FELONIES

Murder other than a capital felony (m. m. 25 years) 53a-54a*

Felony murder (m. m. 25 years) 53a-54c*

Kidnapping in first degree

(m. m. one year pursuant to State v. Jenkins, 198 Conn. 671 (1986)) 53a-92*

Kidnapping in first degree with a firearm (m. m. one year) 53a-92a*

Arson in the first degree

(no m. m. pursuant to State v. O'Neill, 200 Conn. 268 (1986)) 53a-111*

Employing a minor in an obscene performance (m. m. 10 years) 53a-196a

CLASS B FELONIES

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class A felony 53a-51

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class B felony 53a-51

Manslaughter in the first degree 53a-55*

Manslaughter in the first degree with a firearm

(m. m. 5 years and 40 years maximum) 53a-55a*

Assault in the first degree (m. m. 5 years if deadly weapon used

and m. m 10 years if victim under age 10 or a witness) 53a-59*

Assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant, or mentally retarded person in

first degree (m. m. 5 years) 53a-59a

Assault of Department of Correction employee in the first degree 53a-59b

Sexual assault in first degree (m. m. 2 years, 10 years if victim under age 10) 53a-70*

Aggravated sexual assault in the first degree (m. m. 5 years) 53a-70a*

Sexual assault in spousal or cohabitation relationship 53a-70b

Promoting prostitution in first degree 53a-86

Kidnapping in the second degree (m. m. 3 years) 53a-94*

CLASS B FELONIES (Continued)

Kidnapping in the second degree with a firearm (m. m. 3 years) 53a-94a*

Burglary in the first degree (m. m. 5 years if with deadly weapon) 53a-101

Arson in the second degree 53a-112*

Larceny in the first degree 53a-122

Robbery in the first degree (m. m. 5 years if with deadly weapon) 53a-134*

Possession of a weapon or dangerous instrument in a correctional institution 53a-174a

Rioting at correctional institution 53a-179b

Promoting a minor in an obscene performance 53a-196b

Computer crime in the first degree 53a-252

Money laundering in the first degree 53a-276

Vendor fraud in the first degree 53a-291

Deprivation of equal rights by death 53-37b

Manufacture of bombs 53-80a

Extortionate extension of credit 53-390

Advancing money for extortionate extension of credit 53-391

Participation in use of extortionate means to collect 53-392

CLASS C FELONIES

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class C felony 53a-51

Manslaughter in the second degree 53a-56*

Manslaughter in the second degree with a firearm (m. m. 1 year) 53a-56a*

Manslaughter in the second degree with a motor vehicle while intoxicated 53a-56b*

Sexual assault in second degree (m. m. 9 months) 53a-71

Sexual assault in the third degree with a firearm (m. m. 2 years) 53a-72b*

Promoting prostitution in second degree 53a-87

Enticing a minor, third or subsequent offense 53a-90a

Burglary in the second degree 53a-102

Burglary in the second degree with a firearm (m. m. 1 year) 53a-102a

Arson in the third degree 53a-113*

CLASS C FELONIES (Continued)

Larceny in the second degree (m. m. 2 years if property is "taken" from elderly,

blind, disabled, pregnant or mentally retarded victim see 53a-60b) 53a-123

Criminal trover in first degree, second and subsequent offenses 53a-126a

Robbery in the second degree 53a-135*

Forgery in the first degree 53a-138

Intimidating a witness 53a-151a

Bribery of a juror 53a-152

Bribe receiving by a juror 53a-153

Assault on a peace officer, fireman, or other specified individuals 53a-167c

Escape in the first degree 53a-169

Escape from custody for felony 53a-171(b)

Inciting injury to persons or property 53a-179a

Inciting to riot at correctional institution 53a-179c

Intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the first degree 53a-181j

Falsely reporting an incident resulting in serious physical injury

or death 53a-180a, as amended by PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s

Importing child pornography 53a-196c

Interference with a cemetery or burial ground (m. m. $ 500 fine) 53a-218

Computer crime in the second degree 53a-253

Money laundering in the second degree 53a-277

Vendor fraud in the second degree 53a-292

Risk of injury to child or baby selling 53-21

Leaving child under 12 unsupervised at night 53-21a(c)

Deprivation of equal rights by injury 53-37b

Selling or transporting assault weapon (m. m. 2 years, 6 years if sale is to minor) 53-202b

Unlawful training in firearms, explosives, or incendiary devices 53-206b

Assault of a prosecutor PA 01-25

CLASS D FELONIES

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class D felony 53a-51

CLASS D FELONIES (Continued)

Misconduct with a motor vehicle 53a-57

Assault in the second degree 53a-60

Assault in the second degree with a firearm (m. m. 1 year) 53a-60a

Assault or larceny of an elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant, or mentally retarded

person in the second degree (m. m. 2 years) 53a-60b, as amended by PA 01-84

Assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant, or mentally retarded person in

the second degree with a firearm (m. m. 3 years) 53a-60c

Assault in the second degree with a motor vehicle while intoxicated 53a-60d

Sexual assault in the third degree 53a-72a*

Promoting prostitution in the third degree 53a-88

Enticing a minor, second offense 53a-90a

Unlawful restraint in the first degree 53a-95

Custodial interference in the first degree 53a-97

Substitution of children 53a-99

Burglary in the third degree 53a-103

Burglary in the third degree with a firearm (m. m. 1 year) 53a-103a

Reckless burning 53a-114

Criminal mischief in the first degree 53a-115

Criminal damage to landlord's property in first degree 53a-117e

Damage to railroad property in the first degree 53a-117k

Using a motor vehicle without the owner's permission or interfering or

tampering with a motor vehicle, second and subsequent offense 53a-119b

Larceny in the third degree 53a-124

Criminal trover in first degree, first offense 53a-126a

Theft of utility or CATV service for profit or gain 53a-127c

Cheating while gambling 53a-127d

Possession of cheating device 53a-127e

Issuing a bad check of over $ 1,000 53a-128

Identity theft 53a-129a

Certain credit card crimes 53a-128i(b)

CLASS D FELONIES (Continued)

Impersonation of a police officer 53a-130a

Robbery in the third degree 53a-136

Forgery in the second degree 53a-139

Bribery 53a-147

Bribe receiving 53a-148

Bribery of a witness 53a-149

Bribe receiving by a witness 53a-150

Tampering with a witness 53a-151

Tampering with a juror 53a-154

Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence 53a-155

Perjury 53a-156

False statement in the first degree 53a-157a

Bribery of a labor official 53a-158

Bribe receiving by a labor official 53a-159

Bid rigging 53a-161a

Receiving kickbacks 53a-161c

Paying a kickback 53a-161d

Rigging 53a-162

Hindering prosecution in the first degree 53a-166

Escape in the second degree 53a-170

Failure to appear in the first degree 53a-172

Conveying unauthorized items into correctional institution 53a-174

Criminal advocacy 53a-179

Falsely reporting an incident in the first degree 53a-180, as amended by PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s.

Falsely reporting an incident concerning serious physical injury

or death 53a-180b, as amended by PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s.

Stalking in the first degree 53a-181c

Intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the second degree 53a-181k

Harassment in the first degree 53a-182b

CLASS D FELONIES (Continued)

Eavesdropping 53a-189

Disseminating voyeuristic material 53a-189b

Bigamy 53a-190

Incest 53a-191

Coercion when threat is to commit felony 53a-192

Obscenity as to minors 53a-196

Possessing child pornography 53a-196d

Possession of sawed-off shotgun or silencer 53a-211

Stealing a firearm 53a-212

Insurance fraud 53a-215

Criminal use of a firearm or electronic defense weapon (m. m. 5 years) 53a-216

Criminal possession of a firearm or electronic defense weapon (m. m. 2 years) 53a-217

Criminally negligent storage of a firearm 53a-217a

Possession of a weapon on school property 53a-217b

Criminal possession of a pistol or revolver 53a-217c

Negligent hunting in the first degree 53a-217e

Unlawful possession or sale of gravestones 53a-219

Criminal violation of standing criminal restraining order 53a-223a

Computer crime in the third degree 53a-254

Money laundering in the third degree 53a-278

Vendor fraud in the third degree 53a-293

Leaving a child under 12 unsupervised in a liquor establishment 53-21a(b)

Deprivation of civil rights by wearing a hood 53-37a

Possession of unauthorized recordings 53-142f

Possession of an assault weapon (m. m. 1 year) 53-202c

Subscribing to telephone with fictitious name for gambling 53-278d

Maintaining locked gambling premises 53-278e

Ticket scalping, third and subsequent offense 53-289

Computer crime maliciously causing over $ 2,500 damage 53-451

CLASS D FELONIES (Continued)

Possessing or distributing . 50 caliber armor-piercing or incendiary bullets,

second offense PA 01-130

Breach of peace in the first-degree PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s

Threatening in the first degree PA-01-2, Nov. 15 s. s

CLASS A MISDEMEANORS

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class A misdemeanor 53a-51

Criminally negligent homicide 53a-58

Assault in the third degree (m. m. 1 year if deadly weapon) 53a-61

Assault of an elderly, blind, disabled, pregnant, or mentally retarded person

in the third degree (m. m. 1 year) 53a-61a

Threatening in the second degree 53a-62, as amended by PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s

Reckless endangerment in the first degree 53a-63

Sexual assault in the fourth degree 53a-73a

Prostitution 53a-82

Patronizing a prostitute 53a-83

Patronizing a prostitute from a motor vehicle 53a-83a

Permitting prostitution 53a-89

Enticing a minor, first offense 53a-90a

Unlawful restraint in the second degree 53a-96

Custodial interference in the second degree 53a-98

Manufacturing or possession of burglar's tools 53a-106

Criminal trespass in the first degree 53a-107

Criminal mischief in the second degree 53a-116

Criminal damage to landlord's property in second degree 53a-117f

Damage to railroad property in second degree 53a-117l

Using a motor vehicle without the owner's permission or interfering or

tampering with a motor vehicle, first offense 53a-119b

Larceny in the fourth degree 53a-125

Criminal trover in second degree 53a-126b

Diversion from state of benefit of labor of employees 53a-127

CLASS A MISDEMEANORS (Continued)

Unlawful entry into coin machine, possession of key to enter 53a-127a

Possession of a shoplifting device 53a-127f

Issuing a bad check of between $ 501 and $ 1,000 53a-128

Certain credit card crimes 53a-128i(a)

Misapplication of property 53a-129

Unlawfully concealing a will 53a-131

False entry by officer or agent of public community 53a-132

Criminal simulation 53a-141

Forgery of symbols 53a-142

False statement in the second degree 53a-157b

Commercial bribery 53a-160

Receiving a commercial bribe 53a-161

Disclosure of bid or proposal 53a-161b

Soliciting or accepting benefit for rigging 53a-163

Participating in a rigged contest 53a-164

Hindering prosecution in the second degree 53a-167

Interfering with an officer 53a-167a

Failure to assist a peace officer or fireman 53a-167b

Escape from custody for other than felony 53a-171(b)

Aiding escape from hospital or sanitarium 53a-171a

Failure to appear in the second degree 53a-173

Conveying unauthorized letters into correctional or humane institution or to

inmate outside institution or using false name to enter institution 53a-174

Riot in the first degree 53a-175

Inciting to riot 53a-178

Stalking in the second degree 53a-181d

Intimidation based on bigotry or bias in the third degree 53a-181l

Tampering with private communications 53a-188

Voyeurism 53a-189a

CLASS A MISDEMEANORS (Continued)

Coercion when the threat is to commit other than a felony 53a-192

Disseminating indecent comic books 53a-197

Criminal possession of body armor 53a-217d

Negligent hunting in the second degree 53a-217e

Interference with a memorial plaque 53a-220

Unlawful purchase, possession or sale of a memorial plaque 53a-221

Violation of conditions of release 53a-222

Criminal violation of a protective order 53a-223

Computer crime in the fourth degree 53a-255

Money laundering in the fourth degree 53a-279

Vendor fraud in the fourth degree 53a-294

Leaving a child under 12 unsupervised 53-21a(a)

Deprivation of equal rights by force or threat 53-37b

Illegal transfer, sale, or use of records, tapes, or discs 53-142b

Manufacture records, tapes or discs without I. D. marks 53-142c

Destruction, delay, or opening private messenger letters 53-142j

Possession of assault weapon, first offense and prior lawful possession 53-202c

Concealment of delivery 53-237a

Misuse or mutilation of flag 53-258a

Professional gambling 53-278b

Manufacture, sale, or possession of gambling device 53-278c

Transmitting gambling information 53-278d

Maintaining a gambling premises 53-278e

Ticket scalping, second offense 53-289

Computer crimes recklessly causing over $ 2,500 damage 53-451

Possessing or distributing . 50 caliber armor-piercing or incendiary bullets,

first offense PA 01-130

Falsely reporting an incident in the second degree PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s

CLASS B MISDEMEANORS

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class B misdemeanor 53a-51

Reckless endangerment in the second degree 53a-64

Criminal trespass in the second degree 53a-108

Criminal mischief in the third degree 53a-117

Criminal damage to landlord's property in third degree 53a-117g

Damage to railroad property in the third degree 53a-117m

Larceny in the fifth degree 53a-125a

Cheating while gambling 53a-127d

Issuing a bad check of between $ 251 and $ 500 53a-128

Criminal impersonation 53a-130

Forgery in the third degree 53a-140

Unlawfully using slugs in the first degree 53a-144

Riot in the second degree 53a-176

Unlawful assembly 53a-177

Breach of peace in the second degree 53a-181, as amended by PA 01-2, Nov. 15 s. s

Stalking in the third degree 53a-181e

Public indecency 53a-186

Obscenity 53a-194

Negligent hunting in the third degree 53a-217e

Computer crime in the fifth degree 53a-256

Vendor fraud in the fifth degree 53a-295

Sale or carrying of facsimile firearms 53-206c

Carrying firearm while under influence of liquor or drug 53-206d

Gambling 53-278b

Making, printing, or possessing gambling records 53-278c

Selling Police Badges 53-341a

Illegal sale of body armor 53-341b

Unlawful preparation of academic assignments 53-392e

Computer crimes 53-451

CLASS C MISDEMEANORS

Attempt or conspiracy to commit any class C misdemeanor 53a-51

Criminal trespass in the third degree 53a-109

Criminal mischief in the fourth degree 53a-117a

Larceny in the sixth degree 53a-125b

Fraudulent use of automatic teller machine 53a-127b

Issuing a bad check of $ 250 or less 53a-128

Unlawfully using slugs in the second degree 53a-145

Disorderly conduct 53a-182

Obstructing free passage 53a-182a

Harassment in the second degree 53a-183

Obstructing the lawful taking of wildlife 53a-183a

Loitering in or about school grounds 53a-185

Drinking while operating a motor vehicle 53a-213

Criminal lockout 53a-214

Negligent hunting in the fourth degree 53a-217e

Vendor fraud in the sixth degree 53a-296

Altering manufacturer's serial number 53-132a

Ticket scalping, first offense 53-289

*Crimes subject to the persistent dangerous felony offender provision.

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