A felony in Wisconsin is any crime with a maximum sentence of more than one year in prison. Unlike misdemeanors, which result in county jail time, felonies are served in the Wisconsin State Prison System.

Attorney Patrick J. Stangl, a nationally recognized Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer since 1991, has the experience and knowledge to defend against felony charges. If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges anywhere in the state—from South Central Wisconsin to the Northwoods—contact Stangl Law for a free 10-minute consultation.

This guide tells you everything you need to know if you or a loved one is facing felony charges in Wisconsin.

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What is a felony in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, a felony is any crime that brings a maximum sentence of more than one year in prison. All criminal offenses fall into one of two categories:

After this initial classification, offenses are broken down into several separate categories based on the nature of the crime itself.

Wisconsin Felony Classes

Wisconsin classifies felonies into nine categories (A through I) based on the severity of the offense. Class A felonies are the most serious, carrying life sentences, while Class I felonies are the least severe but still result in prison time and fines.

For instances of repeat offenses or prior criminal records, make sure to contact an experienced Wisconsin criminal defense attorney to better understand what specific penalties may be possible. 

Read on for a list of felony classes, corresponding penalties, and examples of the types of offenses that fall under each category. Note that the example offenses listed are not exhaustive.

Class A Felony in Wisconsin

Class A felonies carry the most severe punishments in Wisconsin, punishable by life imprisonment. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class A felonies »

Examples of Class A felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

Class B Felony in Wisconsin

Class B felonies are punishable by up to 60 years in state prison and are Wisconsin's second most severe offense. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class B felonies »

Examples of Class A felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

Class C Felony in Wisconsin

Class C felonies are punishable by up to 40 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both. Read more about Class C felonies »

Examples of Class C felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • OWI Vehicular Homicide with a Previous OWI Conviction
  • 2nd Degree Reckless Homicide
  • Possession of Amphetamines or Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with the Intent to Sell (of 50 grams or more)
  • Arson
  • Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell (40 grams or more)
  • Causing Death by Administering, Making, or Selling Schedule I or II Narcotic Drugs

Class D Felony in Wisconsin

Class D felonies are punishable by up to 25 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class D felonies »

Examples of Class D felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • Hit and Run Involving Fatality
  • Strangulation and Suffocation
  • OWI Vehicular Homicide or 2nd Degree Reckless Homicide
  • Possession of Amphetamines or Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with the Intent to Sell (10-50 grams)
  • Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell (15-40 grams)

Class E Felony in Wisconsin

Class E felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $50,000, or both. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class E felonies »

Examples of Class E felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • Hit and Run Involving Great Bodily Harm
  • Possession of Body Armor After Being Convicted of a Violent Crime
  • Robbery of a Dwelling
  • Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm Intentionally
  • Possession of Schedule I or II Narcotics or 3-10 Grams of Amphetamines or Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with the Intent to Sell
  • Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell (5-15 grams)
  • Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (10 kg. or more)

Class F Felony in Wisconsin

Class F felonies are punishable by a fine of $25,000, a state prison sentence of 12 1/2 years, or both. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class F felonies »

Examples of Class F felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • 1st Degree Reckless Endangerment
  • OWI Causing Great Bodily Harm
  • Modifying a Gun to Operate Like a Machine Gun
  • Stalking Involving a Weapon
  • Discharging a Firearm on a Highway or in a Parking Lot Towards People or Buildings
  • Possession of Amphetamines or Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with the Intent to Sell (3 grams or less)
  • Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell (1-5 grams)
  • Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (2.5 to 10 kg.)

Class G Felony in Wisconsin

Class G felonies are punishable by up to 10 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $25,000, or both. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class G felonies »

Examples of Class G felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • 2nd Offense Strangulation
  • OWI 5th Offense
  • 2nd Degree Reckless Endangerment
  • Homicide by Negligence with Firearms or Motor Vehicles
  • Possession of a Firearm with a Previous Felony Conviction
  • Theft of Property Worth More than $10,000
  • Endangering Safety with a Dangerous Weapon
  • Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell (less than 1 gram)
  • Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (1 to 2.5 kg.)
  • Manufacture/Delivery of Schedule III, IV, or V Drugs

Class H Felony in Wisconsin

A Class H in Wisconsin is punishable by up to 6 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class H felonies »

Examples of Class H felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • 4th Offense OWI
  • OWI with a Minor Under the Age of 16 in the Vehicle
  • Second OWI Causing an Injury
  • Strangulation
  • False Imprisonment
  • Felony Bail Jumping
  • Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm
  • Theft of Property Worth $5,000–$10,000
  • Arson with the Intent to Defraud
  • Destruction of Power Lines, Power Service Equipment, or Other Property Critical to Electricity Distribution
  • Possession of Machine Guns, Silencers, and Short-barreled Rifles or Shotguns
  • Possession of Armor-piercing Bullets During the Commission of a Crime
  • Pointing a Firearm at Medical Responders, Firefighters, or Police Officers
  • Possession of Schedule IV or Schedule I, II, or III Non-narcotic Drugs with the Intent to Sell
  • Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (200 g. to 1 kg.)

Class I Felony in Wisconsin

Class I felonies are punishable by up to 3 1/2 years in state prison, fines up to $10,000, or both (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.) Read more about Class I felonies »

Examples of Class I felonies Stangl law defends in court include:

  • Aggravated Battery Causing Substantial Bodily Harm
  • Theft of Property Worth $2,500-$5,000
  • Threatening Stalking
  • Destruction of Property Worth More than $2,500 or Certain Types of Property
  • Arson of Property Other than a Building
  • Possession of Schedule V Drugs with the Intent to Sell Them
  • Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell (200 g. or less)
  • 2nd or Subsequent Possession of Cocaine Charge
  • 2nd or Subsequent Possession of THC Charge

Wiscsonin-Felony-Classes-Chart

What Are the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction?

Criminal convictions carry serious penalties, some of which you may not expect. If you or someone you know has been charged with a crime, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney to craft a powerful defense.

Possible consequences of a criminal conviction include:

  • Jail or prison time
  • Large fines and court fees
  • Difficulty finding a job
  • Probation
  • A permanent criminal record
  • Ineligibility for student financial aid
  • Suspended driver's license
  • Loss or denial of professional licenses
  • Inability to rent or buy a house 

What Are the Consequences of a Felony Conviction?

A major difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the forfeiture of civil liberties. Possible consequences of a felony conviction include loss of:

  • The right to possess a gun
  • The ability to hunt with a gun
  • The right to vote
  • The ability to hold office
  • The ability to serve on a jury

What to Do If You're Charged with a Felony in Wisconsin

If you or a loved one has been charged with any crime that may potentially be considered a felony, having a good defense attorney on your side is invaluable. Do not wait to seek legal advice. Contact us and schedule a consultation right now.

At Stangl Law Offices, Patrick J. Stangl listens carefully to your side of the incident and works with you to build a defense that could potentially result in either an acquittal, a reduction to a lesser charge, or in some cases, the dropping of charges. No matter what your situation, being accused of a crime is unsettling. Contact us for a free 10-minute consultation.

Two Felony Defense Success Stories

Victory - State of Wisconsin v. J.H.

The client had a search warrant executed at her house, where several marijuana plants were discovered during the search. She was charged with a drug felony, and her husband faced charges for manufacturing THC. In defending her case, Attorney Stangl believed that false statements were made in the affidavit portion of the complaint for the search warrant. He further contended that the warrant itself lacked probable cause due to misstatements in the affidavit and that the informant who provided the information was unreliable. Indeed, the information was based on allegations from an individual with approximately ten prior criminal convictions, known as a drug user, and facing existing charges for obstructing justice. Moreover, some of the information provided by this individual was not verified. Attorney Stangl filed several motions to have the search warrant and all related evidence dismissed. The motions were scheduled for a hearing, and late in the morning before the afternoon hearing, he received a call from the District Attorney to discuss his pending motions. The State believed there was a strong chance that the motions to suppress would be granted. The case was successfully resolved, and his client was not convicted of any drug felony.

Victory - Matthew’s Dilemma

Matthew was arrested after crashing into a decorative retaining wall in front of a closed business. Initially, he was arrested and cited for felony reckless endangerment and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. It was alleged that he "huffed" an inhalant and blacked out while driving. Before being formally charged, he immediately hired Attorney Stangl, and the criminal charges were not pursued. He was later charged with OWI 1st based on the theory that he was under the influence of an inhalant. The case was aggressively defended, with many motions filed to challenge it, including a motion to suppress damaging statements made by Matthew. Ultimately, prior to trial, a resolution was reached due to concerns about proving the case, and the City amended the OWI charges to reckless driving and inattentive driving, requiring the payment of two forfeiture fines.

Read more Success Stories →

FREE 10-Minute Consultation

If you need help fighting felony charges in Madison or elsewhere in the state, Attorney Pat Stangl is happy to offer you a FREE 10-minute consultation to discuss your case and explore options for your defense. Click or tap the link below to get started.

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