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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106 (2026)

  Classes of offenses.

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§ 106.  Classes of offenses.

(a)  General rule.--An offense defined by this title for which a sentence of death or of imprisonment is authorized constitutes a crime. The classes of crime are:

(1)  Murder of the first degree, of the second degree or of the third degree, first degree murder of an unborn child, second degree murder of an unborn child or third degree murder of an unborn child.

(2)  Felony of the first degree.

(3)  Felony of the second degree.

(4)  Felony of the third degree.

(5)  Misdemeanor of the first degree.

(6)  Misdemeanor of the second degree.

(7)  Misdemeanor of the third degree.

(b)  Classification of crimes.--

(1)  A crime is a murder of the first degree, of the second degree or of the third degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted of criminal homicide may be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of section 1102 (relating to sentence for murder and murder of an unborn child). A crime is first degree murder of an unborn child, second degree murder of an unborn child or third degree murder of an unborn child if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted of criminal homicide of an unborn child may be sentenced in accordance with the provisions of section 1102.

(2)  A crime is a felony of the first degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is more than ten years.

(3)  A crime is a felony of the second degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than ten years.

(4)  A crime is a felony of the third degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than seven years.

(5)  A crime declared to be a felony, without specification of degree, is of the third degree.

(6)  A crime is a misdemeanor of the first degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than five years.

(7)  A crime is a misdemeanor of the second degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than two years.

(8)  A crime is a misdemeanor of the third degree if it is so designated in this title or if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than one year.

(9)  A crime declared to be a misdemeanor, without specification of degree, is of the third degree.

(c)  Summary offenses.--An offense defined by this title constitutes a summary offense if:

(1)  it is so designated in this title, or in a statute other than this title; or

(2)  if a person convicted thereof may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, the maximum of which is not more than 90 days.

(d)  Other crimes.--Any offense declared by law to constitute a crime, without specification of the class thereof, is a misdemeanor of the second degree, if the maximum sentence does not make it a felony under this section.

(e)  Section applicable to other statutes.--An offense hereafter defined by any statute other than this title shall be classified as provided in this section.

(Mar. 26, 1974, P.L.213, No.46, eff. imd.; Oct. 2, 1997, P.L.379, No.44, eff. 180 days)

 

1997 Amendment.  Act 44 amended subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)(1).

Cross References.  Section 106 is referred to in sections 305, 2710, 2717, 3311 of this title; sections 1725.3, 1725.5, 9762 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 181 cases (23 in the last 5 years), 1975–2025 · leading case: Alabama v. Shelton, 535 U.S. 654 (2002).
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Alabama v. Shelton, 535 U.S. 654 (2002). · cites it 6× “122(A) (2002); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106 (c)(2) (1998); S.”
Freundt v. Com. Dept. of Transp., 883 A.2d 503 (Pa. 2005). · cites it 4× “1999); accord 18 Pa. C.S. § 106, and that multiple offenses (or crimes) may arise out of any particular single criminal episode.”
Commonwealth v. Polimeni, 378 A.2d 1189 (Pa. 1977). · cites it 4× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 106. [14] Causing or aiding suicide is also a ground for conviction of criminal homicide.”
Piasecki v. Court of Common Pleas, Bucks Cnty., PA, 917 F.3d 161 (3rd Cir. 2019). · cites it 2× “1(c)(3); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(2). Ross, 801 F.3d at 379 .”
Commonwealth v. Samuels, 778 A.2d 638 (Pa. 2001). · cites it 4× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(c). Thus, in Pennsylvania, while absolute liability generally may be imposed only on a limited basis (summary offenses and offenses defined by statutes other than the Crimes Code where "a legislative purpose to impose absolute liability .”
Commonwealth v. Ede, 949 A.2d 926 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2008). · cites it 8× “§§ 3733(a), 6503(a) (2005); [5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(7). [6] In order to determine the relationship between [ ] two provisions .”
Commonwealth v. Yuhasz, 923 A.2d 1111 (Pa. 2007). · cites it 2× “18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(3). Pursuant to Pennsylvania’s sentencing guidelines (“Sentencing Guidelines” or “Guidelines”) 1 204 Pa.”
Com. v. Rivera, W., 238 A.3d 482 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “2009), citing 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 106(b) and 905(a). Therefore, the trial court should have sentenced Appellant at this count to life imprisonment without “correcting” the sentence sheet in conflict with the jury’s verdict.”
Commonwealth v. Ludwig, 874 A.2d 623 (Pa. 2005). · cites it 2× “§ 2505(c) (specifying that third-degree murder includes "[a]ll other kinds of murder" that are not first-degree murder or second-degree murder); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(a)(1) (defining third-degree murder as class of crimes).”
Commonwealth Ex Rel. Baldwin v. Richard, 751 A.2d 647 (Pa. 2000). · cites it 4× “At the time Appellant entered his guilty pleas, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, firearms not to be carried without a license and possession of an instrument of a crime were misdemeanors of the first degree and recklessly endangering another person was a misdemeanor of…”
Lehman v. Pennsylvania State Police, 839 A.2d 265 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “§ 3903(b)(2) (theft of less than $50); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(8) (classification of third degree misdemeanor).”
Commonwealth v. Grow, 122 A.3d 425 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). · cites it 4× “§ 1104(1); see also 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(6). However, the Musau Court determined six months’ imprisonment to be the maximum sentence for second-offense DUI with refusal to submit to chemical testing, despite the grading of the offense as a first-degree misdemeanor.”
Show all 181 citing cases →
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(7) — 1 case
Bellum v. Pennsylvania State Police, 762 A.2d 1145 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2000).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(a) — 5 cases
Commonwealth v. Provenzano, 50 A.3d 148 (Pa. 2012).
Lewis v. Commonwealth, 459 A.2d 1339 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1983).
Commonwealth v. Batts, Q., Aplt., 163 A.3d 410 (Pa. 2017).
Commonwealth v. Jt. Bargaining Comm. of Pennsylvania Emp. Sec. Employes Ass'n, 386 A.2d 1050 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 1978).
Commonwealth v. Alan D., 435 A.2d 1231 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1981).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(a)(1) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Ludwig, 874 A.2d 623 (Pa. 2005). “§ 2505(c) (specifying that third-degree murder includes "[a]ll other kinds of murder" that are not first-degree murder or second-degree murder); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(a)(1) (defining third-degree murder as class of crimes).”
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b) — 9 cases
Com. v. Rivera, W., 238 A.3d 482 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). “2009), citing 18 Pa.C.S. §§ 106(b) and 905(a). Therefore, the trial court should have sentenced Appellant at this count to life imprisonment without “correcting” the sentence sheet in conflict with the jury’s verdict.”
Commonwealth v. Lawton, 414 A.2d 658 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1979).
Com. v. Rivera, W., 2020 Pa. Super. 208 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).
Commonwealth Ex Rel. Baldwin v. Fisher, 809 A.2d 348 (Pa. 2002).
Commonwealth v. Kulp, 344 A.2d 602 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1975).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(2) — 6 cases
Piasecki v. Court of Common Pleas, Bucks Cnty., PA, 917 F.3d 161 (3rd Cir. 2019). “1(c)(3); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(2). Ross, 801 F.3d at 379 .”
Commonwealth v. Ross, 570 A.2d 86 (Pa. 1990).
Commonwealth v. Dykes, 541 A.2d 1 (Pa. 1988).
Commonwealth v. Dennis, 784 A.2d 179 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001).
Commonwealth v. Dotzman, 588 A.2d 1312 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(3) — 10 cases
Commonwealth v. Yuhasz, 923 A.2d 1111 (Pa. 2007). “18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(3). Pursuant to Pennsylvania’s sentencing guidelines (“Sentencing Guidelines” or “Guidelines”) 1 204 Pa.”
Piasecki v. Court of Common Pleas, Bucks Cnty., PA, 917 F.3d 161 (3rd Cir. 2019). “1(c)(3); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(2). Ross, 801 F.3d at 379 .”
Black v. Pennsylvania Dep't of Corr., 889 A.2d 672 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005).
Commonwealth v. Johnston, 501 A.2d 1119 (Pa. 1986).
Commonwealth v. Mattis, 507 A.2d 423 (Pa. 1986).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(4) — 12 cases
Commonwealth v. Scott, 176 A.3d 283 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
Commonwealth v. Chapman, L., Aplt., 136 A.3d 126 (Pa. 2016).
Rose v. Bartle, 871 F.2d 331 (3rd Cir. 1989).
Commonwealth v. Lawson, 650 A.2d 876 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994).
Commonwealth ex rel. Kearney v. Rambler, 32 A.3d 658 (Pa. 2011).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(5) — 3 cases
Commonwealth v. Bell, 645 A.2d 211 (Pa. 1994).
In Re Larsen, 655 A.2d 239 (Ct. Jud. Disc. Pa 1994).
Com. v. Epps, C. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2025).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(6) — 42 cases
Commonwealth v. Grow, 122 A.3d 425 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “§ 1104(1); see also 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(6). However, the Musau Court determined six months’ imprisonment to be the maximum sentence for second-offense DUI with refusal to submit to chemical testing, despite the grading of the offense as a first-degree misdemeanor.”
Commonwealth Ex Rel. Baldwin v. Richard, 751 A.2d 647 (Pa. 2000). “At the time Appellant entered his guilty pleas, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, firearms not to be carried without a license and possession of an instrument of a crime were misdemeanors of the first degree and recklessly endangering another person was a misdemeanor of…”
Commonwealth v. Concordia, 97 A.3d 366 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2014).
Commonwealth v. Musau, 69 A.3d 754 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).
Commonwealth v. Kennedy, 868 A.2d 582 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(7) — 17 cases
Commonwealth v. Ede, 949 A.2d 926 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2008). “§§ 3733(a), 6503(a) (2005); [5] 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(7). [6] In order to determine the relationship between [ ] two provisions .”
Commonwealth Ex Rel. Baldwin v. Richard, 751 A.2d 647 (Pa. 2000). “At the time Appellant entered his guilty pleas, unlawful restraint, terroristic threats, firearms not to be carried without a license and possession of an instrument of a crime were misdemeanors of the first degree and recklessly endangering another person was a misdemeanor of…”
United States v. Johnson, 587 F.3d 203 (3rd Cir. 2009).
Bolden v. Chartiers Valley Sch. Dist., 869 A.2d 1134 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2005).
Commonwealth v. Delgado, 679 A.2d 223 (Pa. 1996).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(8) — 17 cases
Lehman v. Pennsylvania State Police, 839 A.2d 265 (Pa. 2003). “§ 3903(b)(2) (theft of less than $50); 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(b)(8) (classification of third degree misdemeanor).”
Commonwealth v. McLaine, 150 A.3d 70 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).
Commonwealth v. Kearns, 150 A.3d 79 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2016).
Commonwealth v. Lyons, 576 A.2d 1105 (Pa. 1990).
Commonwealth v. Sperry, 577 A.2d 603 (Pa. 1990).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(b)(9) — 6 cases
Com. v. Pammer, K., 232 A.3d 931 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).
New Kensington-Arnold SD v. New Kensington-Arnold Educ. Ass'n, PSEA/NEA, 140 A.3d 726 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2016).
Commonwealth v. Delgado, 679 A.2d 223 (Pa. 1996).
Commonwealth v. Davis, 618 A.2d 426 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
Com. v. Pammer, K., 2020 Pa. Super. 119 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(c) — 18 cases
Commonwealth v. Samuels, 778 A.2d 638 (Pa. 2001). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 106(c). Thus, in Pennsylvania, while absolute liability generally may be imposed only on a limited basis (summary offenses and offenses defined by statutes other than the Crimes Code where "a legislative purpose to impose absolute liability .”
Commonwealth v. Soboleski, 617 A.2d 1309 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
Commonwealth v. Postie, 110 A.3d 1034 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).
Commonwealth v. Nicely, 988 A.2d 799 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2010).
Commonwealth v. Halstead, 79 A.3d 1240 (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2013).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(c)(1) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Bernal, 600 A.2d 993 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(c)(2) — 6 cases
Eichenlaub v. Eichenlaub, 490 A.2d 918 (Pa. 1985).
Commonwealth v. Vandyke, 157 A.3d 535 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
Commonwealth v. Griscom, 600 A.2d 996 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1991).
Commonwealth v. Kincade, 518 A.2d 297 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1986).
Commonwealth v. Mortimer, 514 A.2d 602 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1986).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(d) — 1 case
In Re Larsen, 655 A.2d 239 (Ct. Jud. Disc. Pa 1994).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 106(e) — 7 cases
Commonwealth v. Davis, 618 A.2d 426 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
Commonwealth v. Koch, 443 A.2d 1157 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1982).
Commonwealth ex rel. Kearney v. Rambler, 32 A.3d 658 (Pa. 2011).
Commonwealth v. Johnston, 501 A.2d 1119 (Pa. 1986).
Commonwealth v. Bernal, 600 A.2d 993 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).
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