§ 164-41. Classification of offenses – ranges of punishment. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 164‑41. Classification of offenses – ranges of punishment.

(a)        The Commission shall classify criminal offenses into felonyand misdemeanor categories on the basis of their severity.

(b)        In determining the proper category for each felony andmisdemeanor, the Commission shall consider, to the extent that they haverelevance, the following:

(1)        The nature and degree of harm likely to be caused by theoffense, including whether it involves property, irreplaceable property, aperson, number of persons, or a breach of the public trust;

(2)        The deterrent effect a particular classification may have onthe commission of the offense by others;

(3)        The current incidence of the offense in the State as awhole;

(4)        The rights of the victim.

(c)        For each classification of felonies and misdemeanorsformulated pursuant to subsection (b), the Commission shall assign a suggestedrange of punishment. The Commission shall take into consideration the currentrange of punishment for each offense. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1076, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c.812, s. 12; c. 816, s. 1; 1993, c. 253, s. 5.1; c. 321, s. 200.1; 1993 (Reg.Sess., 1994), c. 591, s. 6(a); 1995, c. 236, s. 1; 1997‑256, s. 6; 1997‑347,s. 2; 1997‑401, s. 2; 1997‑418, s. 2; 1997‑443, s. 18.6(a).)