Criminal penalties in Alaska
Checked in October 2026 against the Alaska Statutes 2025.
These are statutory ranges for a first offence, from the least to the most the law allows. A court decides the actual sentence in each case. Not legal advice.
How Alaska sets penalties
- Alaska sorts felonies into unclassified felonies (the gravest, such as murder and kidnapping) and Classes A, B and C. The maximum for a Class A felony is 20 years, for Class B 10 years, and for Class C 5 years (AS 12.55.125(c) to (e)).
- Alaska uses presumptive ranges. Within the maximum, a court "shall" sentence within a presumptive range set by the offence class and the number of prior felony convictions, subject to adjustment for aggravating and mitigating factors (AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175). For a first felony, the ranges are 4 to 7 years (Class A), 1 to 3 years (Class B) and 0 to 2 years (Class C), with higher ranges in some listed circumstances.
- Unclassified felonies have their own ranges: murder in the first degree 30 to 99 years; murder in the second degree 15 to 99 years; kidnapping 5 to 99 years (AS 12.55.125(a), (b)).
- Misdemeanors: up to one year for Class A and up to 90 days for Class B (AS 12.55.135).
- Fines can be added: up to $500,000 for murder, kidnapping and the gravest sex offences, $250,000 (Class A felony), $100,000 (Class B), $50,000 (Class C), $25,000 (Class A misdemeanor) and $2,000 (Class B misdemeanor) (AS 12.55.035(b)).
- Prior convictions raise the presumptive ranges. This table shows first-offence ranges.
Death penalty: No. The most serious sentence in the statutes read is for murder in the first degree: a definite term of at least 30 and not more than 99 years, and a mandatory 99 years in listed cases, such as the murder of a uniformed peace officer, a firefighter or a correctional employee on duty (AS 12.55.125(a)).
First-degree murder
30 to 99 years (a mandatory 99 years in listed cases)
Murder in the first degree (for example, a killing with intent to cause death, or a child's death in the course of a sexual offence or kidnapping) (Unclassified felony)
- Least
- 30 years
- Most
- 99 years
- Fine
- Up to $500,000
A mandatory term of 99 years applies in listed cases, for example the murder of a uniformed or clearly identified peace officer, firefighter or correctional employee on duty, or a defendant with a prior murder conviction.
Second-degree murder
15 to 99 years (20 to 99 years in listed cases)
Murder in the second degree (Unclassified felony)
- Least
- 15 years
- Most
- 99 years
- Fine
- Up to $500,000
The minimum is 20 years in some listed circumstances. In a prosecution for murder in the second degree under one paragraph of the section, an affirmative defence reduces the crime to a class A felony.
Voluntary manslaughter
Up to 10 years (criminally negligent homicide, Class B) up to 20 years (manslaughter, Class A)
Criminally negligent homicide (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Manslaughter (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Up to $250,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 4 to 7 years (7 to 11 years if a firearm or dangerous instrument was used or serious physical injury or death was caused). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Alaska has one offence of manslaughter (Class A felony). Criminally negligent homicide is a Class B felony.
Robbery
Up to 10 years (second degree) up to 20 years (first degree)
Robbery in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Robbery in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Up to $250,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 4 to 7 years (7 to 11 years if a firearm or dangerous instrument was used or serious physical injury or death was caused). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Burglary
Up to 5 years (second degree) up to 10 years (first degree)
Burglary in the second degree (Class C felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 5 years
- Fine
- Up to $50,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 0 to 2 years. The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Burglary in the first degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Arson
Up to 10 years (second degree) up to 20 years (first degree)
Arson in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Arson in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Up to $250,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 4 to 7 years (7 to 11 years if a firearm or dangerous instrument was used or serious physical injury or death was caused). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Aggravated assault
Up to 10 years (second degree) up to 20 years (first degree)
Assault in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Assault in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Up to $250,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 4 to 7 years (7 to 11 years if a firearm or dangerous instrument was used or serious physical injury or death was caused). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Rape and sexual assault
Up to 10 years (second degree) up to 99 years (first degree)
Sexual assault in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Sexual assault in the first degree (under AS 11.41.410(a)(1)(A), (2), (3) or (4)) (Unclassified felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 99 years
- Fine
- Up to $500,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 20 to 30 years if the victim was 13 or older; 25 to 35 years if the victim was under 13, or a firearm or dangerous instrument was used, or serious physical injury was caused. The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
The most serious form, sexual assault in the first degree under AS 11.41.410(a)(1)(A), (2), (3) or (4), carries up to 99 years. The presumptive range for a first felony conviction is 20 to 30 years if the victim was 13 or older, and 25 to 35 years if the victim was under 13 or a firearm or dangerous instrument was used or serious physical injury was caused. The ranges for the other forms of the first degree were not read.
Kidnapping
5 to 99 years (unclassified), or Class A (up to 20 years) where an affirmative defence applies
Kidnapping (unclassified felony) (Unclassified felony)
- Least
- 5 years
- Most
- 99 years
- Fine
- Up to $500,000
In a prosecution for kidnapping, an affirmative defence reduces the crime to a class A felony.
Embezzlement
Up to 1 year (theft, third degree, $250 to under $750) up to 10 years (theft, first degree, $25,000 or more)
Theft in the third degree ($250 to under $750) (Class A misdemeanor)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 1 year
- Fine
- Up to $25,000
Theft in the second degree ($750 to under $25,000) (Class C felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 5 years
- Fine
- Up to $50,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 0 to 2 years. The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Theft in the first degree ($25,000 or more) (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
The sections read here have no separate embezzlement offence. The nearest is theft, graded by value. Fourth degree (under $250): Class B misdemeanor. Third degree ($250 to under $750): Class A misdemeanor. Second degree ($750 to under $25,000): Class C felony. First degree ($25,000 or more): Class B felony.
Forgery
Up to 1 year (third degree) up to 10 years (first degree)
Forgery in the third degree (Class A misdemeanor)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 1 year
- Fine
- Up to $25,000
Forgery in the second degree (Class C felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 5 years
- Fine
- Up to $50,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 0 to 2 years. The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Forgery in the first degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- 10 years
- Fine
- Up to $100,000
Presumptive range for a first felony conviction: 1 to 3 years (higher in some listed circumstances). The court may adjust it under AS 12.55.155 to 12.55.175.
Drunk driving, first offence
A Class A misdemeanor: at least 72 consecutive hours in jail and a fine of at least $1,500 (up to 1 year and $25,000)
Operating a vehicle, aircraft or watercraft while under the influence, first conviction (Class A misdemeanor)
- Least
- 72 consecutive hours
- Most
- 1 year
- Fine
- At least $1,500; up to $25,000
On a first conviction, the court must impose not less than 72 consecutive hours of imprisonment and a fine of not less than $1,500, and require an ignition interlock device for at least six months after the person regains the privilege to drive. Prior convictions raise the minimums (20 days and $3,000 for a second conviction, for example).
Compare with: Iowa, Arizona, California, New York, Florida, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Minnesota, Maine, South Carolina, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Vermont, West Virginia, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut.
