> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://doj.equinoxroleplay.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Penal Code > Criminal classifications, enforcement standards, statutes of limitations, and sentencing framework for the State of San Andreas. # Penal Code of the State of San Andreas The San Andreas Penal Code establishes the classification and enforcement of criminal offenses within the State of San Andreas. Individual criminal offenses are classified according to their severity, the harm caused or threatened, the offender's conduct, and any applicable aggravating circumstances. This page establishes the general framework used throughout the Penal Code. Individual criminal offenses and their specific penalties are listed separately within the criminal statutes. *** ## Offense Classifications Criminal offenses are divided into felony, misdemeanor, and infraction classifications. | Classification | Severity | General Standard | | ----------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Class X Felony** | Extreme | Reserved for the most severe criminal offenses recognized by the State | | **Class A Felony** | Very High | Extremely serious offenses involving substantial violence, harm, or danger | | **Class B Felony** | High | Serious felony offenses involving significant harm, violence, or criminal activity | | **Class C Felony** | Moderate-High | Felony-level conduct without the aggravating circumstances of higher classifications | | **Class A Misdemeanor** | Moderate | Serious misdemeanor conduct involving meaningful harm, danger, or obstruction | | **Class B Misdemeanor** | Low-Moderate | Standard misdemeanor criminal conduct involving limited harm | | **Class C Misdemeanor** | Low | Minor criminal conduct presenting limited harm or danger | | **Infraction** | Minor | Non-criminal or minor regulatory violations generally punishable by fine | *** ## Classification Factors When determining the appropriate classification of an offense, consideration should be given to: * The actual or potential harm caused; * The intent and state of mind of the offender; * The use or threatened use of violence; * The use or possession of a weapon during the offense; * The risk presented to the public or another person; * The number of victims involved; * The monetary or property loss involved; * Whether the conduct was organized, planned, or repeated; * Whether the victim was particularly vulnerable; * Whether the offender abused a government position or position of trust; and * Any aggravating or mitigating circumstances established by law. The existence of a single classification factor does not automatically determine the classification of an offense. The nature and totality of the conduct should be considered when establishing or interpreting criminal statutes. *** ## Class X Felony A **Class X Felony** represents the highest level of criminal offense recognized by the State of San Andreas. Class X offenses should be reserved for conduct involving extraordinary harm or danger, including offenses involving intentional loss of life, mass-casualty threats, terrorism-level conduct, or similarly extreme criminal activity. Class X classification should be used sparingly. An offense should not be classified as Class X merely because it is serious or involves a firearm. *** ## Class A Felony A **Class A Felony** represents an exceptionally serious criminal offense. This classification is generally appropriate where conduct involves extreme violence, substantial risk of death, severe bodily injury, forced confinement, major organized criminal activity, or comparable aggravating circumstances. *** ## Class B Felony A **Class B Felony** represents serious felony-level criminal conduct. This classification is generally appropriate for offenses involving significant violence, dangerous weapons, substantial property loss, major controlled-substance activity, or serious threats to public safety. *** ## Class C Felony A **Class C Felony** represents the lowest felony classification. This classification applies when conduct is sufficiently serious to warrant felony treatment but does not contain the degree of harm, violence, danger, or aggravation associated with a Class A or Class B Felony. *** ## Class A Misdemeanor A **Class A Misdemeanor** represents the highest misdemeanor classification. These offenses generally involve meaningful harm to another person, dangerous or reckless conduct, significant interference with lawful government activity, or other conduct serious enough to justify custodial arrest under appropriate circumstances. *** ## Class B Misdemeanor A **Class B Misdemeanor** represents ordinary misdemeanor criminal conduct. These offenses generally involve limited injury, property damage, public disorder, interference, or other unlawful conduct that does not rise to the seriousness of a Class A Misdemeanor. *** ## Class C Misdemeanor A **Class C Misdemeanor** represents minor criminal conduct. These offenses generally involve minimal harm, limited disruption, and little continuing threat to public safety. *** ## Infractions An **Infraction** is the lowest classification of offense. Infractions ordinarily involve traffic, regulatory, licensing, or minor public-order violations and are generally resolved through the issuance of a citation. Infractions do not authorize custodial arrest unless another lawful basis for arrest exists. *** ## Enforcement Methods Offense classification and enforcement method are separate concepts. | Method | Description | | -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Custodial Arrest** | The individual is taken into custody and processed for the offense | | **Cite & Release** | Probable cause exists for an arrest, but the individual may be released after being issued a criminal citation or notice to appear | | **Citation Only** | The offense is handled through a monetary or regulatory citation and does not ordinarily authorize custodial arrest | An offense being eligible for Cite & Release does not prevent an officer from making a lawful custodial arrest when circumstances reasonably require it, including identification issues, continued criminal conduct, public safety concerns, outstanding warrants, or other lawful grounds. *** ## Statute of Limitations The statute of limitations establishes the period in which criminal proceedings may ordinarily be initiated following an alleged offense. | Offense Level | Statute of Limitations | | ----------------------- | ------------------------- | | **Class X Felony** | No Statute of Limitations | | **Class A Felony** | Sixty (60) Days | | **Class B Felony** | Forty-Five (45) Days | | **Class C Felony** | Thirty (30) Days | | **Class A Misdemeanor** | Twenty-One (21) Days | | **Class B Misdemeanor** | Fourteen (14) Days | | **Class C Misdemeanor** | Ten (10) Days | | **Infraction** | Five (5) Days | Unless otherwise provided by law or court order, the limitation period begins on the date the alleged offense occurred. *** ## Warrant Expiration Arrest warrants shall remain valid for the period established by the classification of the underlying offense unless withdrawn, quashed, renewed, or otherwise modified by the Judiciary. | Offense Level | Warrant Expiration | | ----------------------- | ----------------------- | | **Class X Felony** | No Automatic Expiration | | **Class A Felony** | Thirty (30) Days | | **Class B Felony** | Twenty-One (21) Days | | **Class C Felony** | Fourteen (14) Days | | **Class A Misdemeanor** | Fourteen (14) Days | | **Class B Misdemeanor** | Seven (7) Days | | **Class C Misdemeanor** | Five (5) Days | | **Infraction** | N/A | Expiration of a warrant does not itself dismiss the underlying criminal offense when the applicable statute of limitations has not expired. *** ## Aggravating Circumstances Certain circumstances may justify enhanced charges, penalties, or classification when expressly authorized by law. Examples may include the use of a deadly weapon, serious bodily injury, multiple victims, repeat offenses, offenses committed against government employees performing official duties, organized criminal activity, or conduct creating an extraordinary danger to the public. An aggravating circumstance should not be applied more than once to punish the same element of an offense unless expressly permitted by law. *** ## Related Resources Review individual criminal charges and their prescribed penalties. Review constitutional rights and government authority. Review procedures governing warrants and judicial orders. Review recent changes to state law.