What Is a Class C (Third-Degree) Felony in Connecticut?

Connecticut does not use the degree-based system to desig nate felonies. Rather, the state classifies felonies using the alphabet system similar to those of Alabama, Alaska, Missouri, and some other states in the United States. The State of Connecticut designates felonies as Class A, B, C, and D, with Class A as the most serious crimes and Class D the least. Section 53a-25 of the Connecticut General Statutes defines a felony as an offense punishable by imprisonment for more than one year. Third-degree felonies are comparable to Class C felonies in Connecticut.

In Connecticut, Class C felonies are mid-level crimes whose severity falls below that of Class A and B felonies but exceeds that of Class D felonies. Felonies within the Class C category are serious crimes that can have long-lasting repercussions. Notwithstanding their low ranking, A Class C felony conviction in Connecticut can harm professional and public status.

Common Offenses That Fall Under Class C (Third-Degree) Felony Charges

Connecticut refers to third-degree crimes as Class C felonies. Per § 53a-35a of the Connecticut General Statutes, these types of crimes are punishable by imprisonment of 1 year to 10 years, in addition to potential fines of up to $10,000.00. Crimes within the Class C felony category in Connecticut include:

• Manslaughter in the second degree
• Burglary in the second degree
• Larceny in the first degree
• Forgery in the first degree
• Bribery of a public servant
• Insurance fraud
• Perjury
• Criminal possession of a firearm or electronic defense weapon.

Penalties and Sentencing for Third-Degree Felonies in Connecticut

Third-degree felonies are classified as Class C felonies under Connecticut's alphabet-based classification system. Based on severity, this crime category ranks below Class A and B felonies. Notwithstanding, these are serious crimes with harsh penalties that signify their gravity.

Per § 53a-35a of Connecticut General Statutes, a Class C felony is punishable by 1 to 10 years imprisonment in a state penitentiary. Additionally, § 53a-41 of the Connecticut General Statutes recommends fines ranging from $5,000.00 up to $10,000.00.

However, the law does not recommend a blanket sentence for crimes within this category. A judge may consider the seriousness of specific offenses, the presence of aggravating and mitigating factors, and the offender’s criminal history when sentencing within the legal limits. Additionally, a judge may impose probation, conditional discharge, or a suspended sentence, or deferred adjudication or diversion programs instead of a prison term, allowing the defendant to serve the penalties under strict supervision within the community.

Beyond the mandatory penalties, Class C felonies in Connecticut are crimes with life-altering consequences that may go beyond the initial penalties. A Class C felony record may impact job opportunities, housing options, and professional licensing.

Will You Go to Jail for a Class C (Third-Degree) Felony in Connecticut?

Yes, a Class C felony in Connecticut can result in up to 10 years imprisonment. However, based on several factors, offenders may also avoid prison terms.

While Connecticut's law recommends a 1-year to 10-year imprisonment for Class C felonies, a judge may consider mitigating factors, injuries and damages, the defendant's criminal history, and impose probation or a diversion program instead of a third-degree felony jail time. An individual on probation or diversion program for an eligible offense (including Class C felonies) must follow strict court-imposed conditions to stay in the community. Otherwise, the court will revoke the probation or cancel the program and send them to prison.

How Long Does a Third-Degree Felony Stay on Your Record?

A criminal conviction in any part of the United States stays permanently on record unless it is sealed or expunged. Once an arrest results in a conviction, the information does not automatically disappear.

Criminal records are publicly accessible and lead to an unfair and unjustified opinion about a person's character. This may negatively impact job opportunities, housing, social status, and professional licensing. However, § 54-142a of the Connecticut General Statutes establishes the right to petition for the removal of criminal records, including certain Class C records. Under this law, individuals with eligible criminal records can petition the courts to erase them if they fulfill all additional requirements.

In summary, unless a felon takes steps to expunge a Class C felony record in Connecticut, it will remain part of the individual's criminal history indefinitely.

Can a Class C (Third-Degree) Felony Be Sealed or Expunged in Connecticut?

Yes, a Class C felony record in Connecticut can be sealed or expunged. Sealing a record shields it from public scrutiny. This means that such documents will not show up during background checks. However, they may still be accessible to law enforcement, the courts, and certain authorized government agencies. Unlike sealing, an expungement results in total destruction of the document, making it inaccessible to all entities. Owners of expunged criminal records can legally claim that they were never convicted.

In Connecticut, sealing and expungement achieve the same purpose. Connecticut does not have a separate sealing process. Expungement in Connecticut is achievable through an absolute pardon or automatic erasure of older non-violent records.

A Connecticut Class C felony record may be eligible for erasure if:

• The underlying charges result in dismissal, acquittal, or prosecutors did not file charges within 13 months of the arrest
• The offender receives an absolute pardon from the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles
• The record qualifies for automatic erasure under Connecticut’s “Clean Slate” Law.

Additionally, to be eligible for erasure, a Class C felony must be non-violent, and the owner of the record must complete the sentence for the crime and maintain a clean record with no pending criminal charges since the conviction.

How Class C (Third-Degree) Felonies Compare to First- and Second-Degree Felonies

Connecticut classifies felonies using a letter-based system. As such, first-, second, and third-degree felonies align with Class A, B, and C felonies under the state's classification system.

Class A felonies in Connecticut are the highest-level category of felony under the state's penal code. Crimes in this group typically involve intentional violence, death, or sexual assault. The penalties for Class A felonies in Connecticut range from 10 to 25 years for non-murder crimes, and 25 years to life imprisonment if it involves murder. Additionally, the penalty may include fines of up to $20,000.00. Examples of Class A felonies in Connecticut include murder and kidnapping in the first-degree.

A Class B felony in Connecticut is a serious and often violent crime. Nonetheless, offenses in this category do not necessarily result in fatalities. These types of crimes may involve weapon use, injuries, or large-scale theft.

In Connecticut, a Class B felony conviction may result in imprisonment of 1 year to 20 years. However, there are mandatory minimums for certain Class B felonies. For instance, robbery in the first-degree will result in a 5-year minimum sentence and a maximum prison term of 25 years. The penalties may also include fines of up to $15,000.00, and the court may order restitution.

Class C felonies in Connecticut are mid-level crimes that may involve reckless harm, property damage, or fraud, but whose level of violence is less than that of Class A and Class B felonies. Crimes in the Class C category may result in a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment. In addition, the court may impose fines of up to $10,000.00 and also order restitution. Crimes in the Class C felony category include manslaughter in the second degree, larceny in the first-degree, and forgery in the first-degree.

How to Look Up Third-Degree Felony Records in Connecticut

Connecticut's criminal court records contain felony records, and several entities offer access options. The Connecticut Judicial Branch operates a Case Lookup Portal where the public can search for records, including those detailing Class C felony convictions. The public can also obtain these records by submitting requests through mail or in person to the Clerk of Court Offices at the state's county Superior Courts.

Furthermore, the state makes information about Class C felony arrests and convictions accessible through criminal records. For comprehensive criminal record details, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) conducts and provides criminal background checks that include felony arrests and convictions. As alternative official sources, interested individuals can search online through third-party websites, as some non-government repositories maintain databases of Connecticut's case records.

Record seekers should note that erased and juvenile records are not publicly accessible in Connecticut.

Probation and Parole for Class C (Third-Degree) Felony Offenders

Probation and parole for Class C felonies in Connecticut are two distinct processes applicable to different stages of criminal prosecution. While probation may prevent offenders from serving prison terms, parole applies to convicts who have served part of their prison sentences for their crimes.

In Connecticut, a judge may impose probation for a non-violent Class C felony if the offender is remorseful, willing to undergo treatment or restitution, and has no previous conviction record. Probation allows eligible offenders to avoid prison and undergo rehabilitation within the community if they abide by court-imposed conditions, including:

• Regular check-ins with a probation officer
• Avoiding further criminal activity
• Paying restitution or fines
• Completing community service or counseling.

Parole refers to the early release of inmates before they complete their prison sentences. Unlike probation, the offender must serve a part of their prison term as a condition for parole. In Connecticut, the law requires Class C felons to serve 50% of their prison terms for non-violent offenses and 85% if their crimes involve violence.

However, parole in Connecticut is not automatic. Before granting a parole, the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Parole considers:

• The inmate’s behavior and rehabilitation in prison
• The nature of the crime
• The offender's likelihood of reoffending
• The impact of the crime on the victim.