Misdemeanor charges begin in District Court.  In district court you may have several options available to you to dispose of your case.  Some options include deferred prosecution, a plea negotiation, outright dismissals, and trials.  

There are four classes of Misdemeanors in North Carolina.  Each class of misdemeanor carries its own statutorily prescribed punishment. 

Class 3 Misdemeanors, the lowest class of misdemeanors in North Carolina carry a maximum punishment of 20 days active jail time and up to a $200.00 fine.  Other punishments for convictions of Class 3 Misdemeanors include cost/fine only and supervised or unsupervised probation. 

Examples of Class 3 Misdemeanors include but are not limited to the following: Possession of less than 1/2 oz of Marijuana, Driving While License Revoked-Non Impaired Revocation, Window Tinting Violations, and Second Degree Trespassing. 

Class 2 Misdemeanors carry a maximum punishment of 60 days active jail time and up to a $1000.00 fine. Supervised Probation is also authorized for Class 2 Misdemeanors and all higher classes of Misdemeanors. 

Examples of Class 2 Misdemeanors include but are not limited to the following: Careless and Reckless Driving,  second and subsequent offenses of Transporting an Open Container of an Alcoholic Beverage, and Simple Assault.

Class 1 Misdemeanors carry a maximum Punishment of 120 days active jail time and fines for these types of offenses are left to the discretion of the Court. 

Examples of Class 1 Misdemeanors include but are not limited to the following:  Certain Larcenies, Driving While License Revoked-Impaired Revocation, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and Injury to Real Property. 

Class A1 Misdemeanors carry a maximum punishment of 150 days.  Just like Class 1 Misdemeanors, Class A1 fines are left to the discretion of the court.    

Examples of Class A1 Misdemeanors include but are not limited to the following: Assault on a Female,  Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Interfering with Emergency Communication, Sexual Battery, and Battery on an Unborn Child.  

If you are charged with a Misdemeanor or any alleged violation of a North Carolina law, contact us.  We are here to help!

The following Chart and Statutorily Authorized Punishments for Misdemeanors can be found by clicking on the image below. (N.C.G.S 15A-1340.23)