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Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104 (2026)

 Sentence of imprisonment for misdemeanors.

✓ current as of May 2026
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§ 1104.  Sentence of imprisonment for misdemeanors.

A person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor may be sentenced to imprisonment for a definite term which shall be fixed by the court and shall be not more than:

(1)  Five years in the case of a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2)  Two years in the case of a misdemeanor of the second degree.

(3)  One year in the case of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

 

Cross References.  Section 1104 is referred to in section 1571 of Title 75 (Vehicles).

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 209 cases (49 in the last 5 years), 1974–2026 · leading case: Commonwealth v. Dempster, 187 A.3d 266 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).
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Commonwealth v. Dempster, 187 A.3d 266 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). · cites it 2× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(2) (providing a maximum term of imprisonment of "[t]wo years in the case of a misdemeanor of the second degree.”
Raymond Holloway, Jr. v. Attorney Gen. United States, 948 F.3d 164 (3rd Cir. 2020). · cites it 4× “Today, we consider whether Pennsylvania’s driving under the influence (“DUI”) law, which makes a DUI at the highest blood alcohol content (“BAC”) a first-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, see 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 1104; 75 Pa.…”
Com. v. Faison, W., 297 A.3d 810 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). · cites it 2× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(1). - 35 - J-S03030-23 Id.”
Zedonis v. Lynch, 233 F. Supp. 3d 417 (M.D. Penn. 2017). · cites it 2× “1 at 3); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104 (1). Because his 2005 DUI conviction was allegedly punishable by more than two years’ imprisonment, Plaintiff asserts that he is prohibited under § 922(g)(1) from possessing a firearm.”
Joseph Curry v. Brianne Yachera, 835 F.3d 373 (3rd Cir. 2016). “18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104 (2). 8 . This Court requested records from the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County.”
United States v. Sean Michael Grier, 475 F.3d 556 (3rd Cir. 2007). “See 18 Pa. Cons.Stat. §§ 1104, 2701. 3 This crime is not considered a “felony” under the Guidelines, see U.”
Com. v. Steckley, S., Jr., 128 A.3d 826 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). · cites it 2× “”); 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104 (“A person who has been convicted of a [first degree] misdemeanor may be sentenced to imprisonment for a definite term which shall be fixed by the court and shall be not more than .”
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003). · cites it 2× “§ 6106(a), carrying a maximum potential sentence of up to five years, see 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(1). Additionally, a more technical assessment of Section 6106 also favors the elements construction.”
Commonwealth v. Williams, 733 A.2d 593 (Pa. 1999). · cites it 2× “…deviate sexual intercourse, F-1), § 3125 (aggravated indecent assault, F-2), § 3128(a) & (b) (spousal assault, F-2), § 5902(b) (prostitution, F-3), § 5903(a)(3), (4), (5) or (6) (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances, M-1). The maximum sentence…”
Commonwealth v. Reed, 9 A.3d 1138 (Pa. 2010). · cites it 2× “I realize Apprendi is not implicated directly by the present facts, since Appellee's actual sentence fell below the five-year statutory maximum for a first-degree misdemeanor, 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104. See Apprendi, 530 U.S.”
Commonwealth v. Grow, 122 A.3d 425 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). · cites it 3× “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(1); see also 18 Pa.C.S.”
Commonwealth v. Houck, 948 A.2d 780 (Pa. 2008). · cites it 2× “" 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104 states: "A person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor may be sentenced to imprisonment for a definite term which shall be fixed by the court and shall be not more than: (1) Five years in the case of a misdemeanor of the first degree.”
Show all 209 citing cases →
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104(1) — 65 cases
Com. v. Faison, W., 297 A.3d 810 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(1). - 35 - J-S03030-23 Id.”
Commonwealth v. Bavusa, 832 A.2d 1042 (Pa. 2003). “§ 6106(a), carrying a maximum potential sentence of up to five years, see 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(1). Additionally, a more technical assessment of Section 6106 also favors the elements construction.”
Commonwealth v. Williams, 733 A.2d 593 (Pa. 1999). “…deviate sexual intercourse, F-1), § 3125 (aggravated indecent assault, F-2), § 3128(a) & (b) (spousal assault, F-2), § 5902(b) (prostitution, F-3), § 5903(a)(3), (4), (5) or (6) (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances, M-1). The maximum sentence…”
Commonwealth v. Grow, 122 A.3d 425 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(1); see also 18 Pa.C.S.”
Commonwealth v. Straw, 361 A.2d 427 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1976).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104(2) — 54 cases
Commonwealth v. Dempster, 187 A.3d 266 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018). “See 18 Pa.C.S. § 1104(2) (providing a maximum term of imprisonment of "[t]wo years in the case of a misdemeanor of the second degree.”
Commonwealth v. Provenzano, 50 A.3d 148 (Pa. 2012).
Commonwealth v. Clarke, 70 A.3d 1281 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).
United States v. Johnson, 587 F.3d 203 (3rd Cir. 2009).
Commonwealth v. Bogden, 528 A.2d 168 (Pa. 1987).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104(3) — 24 cases
Sejid Smriko v. John Ashcroft, Attorney Gen. of the United States, 387 F.3d 279 (3rd Cir. 2004).
Commonwealth v. Postie, 110 A.3d 1034 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).
Cromley v. Gardner, 385 A.2d 433 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1978).
Commonwealth v. Garris, 372 A.2d 914 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1977).
Commonwealth v. Lowe, 522 A.2d 614 (Pa. 1987).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104(a) — 3 cases
Schaffer, P.J. v. York Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't (Pa. Super. Ct. 2015).
Com. v. Lane, E. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2017).
PSP v. PA State Troopers Ass'n (PSTA) (Trooper C. Acord) (Pa. Commw. Ct. 2018).
— 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1104(c)(3) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Wesley, 889 A.2d 636 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005).
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