For class C violent offenders with no priors, the sentence has a minimum of 3½ years, and a maximum of 15 years in prison. The following is a general overview of proceedings in a local criminal court and is not to be used as a legal reference in any proceeding before any court.This guide has been designed to provide some useful information and insight into the New York criminal justice process. New York criminal law establishes penalty sentence ranges for various convictions. Our criminal defense attorneys have over 40 years of combined experience. The NYPD has prepared important information on the criminal justice process in New York City so you can become more familiar with many procedures. This arrest-to-sentence guide and legal glossary are designed to explain and clarify the criminal justice process in New York County. New York law spells out sentencing guidelines for different classes of felonies (ranging from Class E, the least serious, to Class AI, the most serious). For example, a guideline range of 24 to 30 months means that a judge must at least consider a sentence between 24 and 30 months in prison. It does not challenge your guilt.