Minnesota's Standard Sentencing Guidelines Grid sets the presumptive sentence for most felonies. The vertical axis is the offense's severity level (11 down to 1) and the horizontal axis is the criminal history score (0 through 6 or more). Where they meet is the presumptive sentence in months, and whether prison is presumed or the sentence is presumptively stayed. Below is the current grid effective August 1, 2025, with the shaded cells showing the presumptive-prison zone.
| Severity level example offense | criminal history score → | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Murder, 2nd Degree (intentional; drive-by) | 306261-367 | 326278-391 | 346295-415 | 366312-439 | 386329-463 | 406346-480 | 426363-480 |
| 10 Murder, 3rd Degree | 150128-180 | 165141-198 | 180153-216 | 195166-234 | 210179-252 | 225192-270 | 240204-288 |
| 9 Assault, 1st Degree | 8674-103 | 9884-117 | 11094-132 | 122104-146 | 134114-160 | 146125-175 | 158135-189 |
| 8 Aggravated Robbery, 1st Degree | 4841-57 | 5850-69 | 6858-81 | 7867-93 | 8875-105 | 9884-117 | 10892-129 |
| 7 Felony DWI; Financial Exploit. Vulnerable Adult | 36 | 42 | 48 | 5446-64 | 6051-72 | 6657-79 | 7262-84 |
| 6 Assault, 2nd Degree; Burglary 1st (occupied) | 21 | 27 | 33 | 3934-46 | 4539-54 | 5144-61 | 5749-68 |
| 5 Residential Burglary; Simple Robbery | 18 | 23 | 28 | 3329-39 | 3833-45 | 4337-51 | 4841-57 |
| 4 Nonresidential Burglary | 12 | 15 | 18 | 21 | 2421-28 | 2723-32 | 3026-36 |
| 3 Theft Crimes (over $5,000) | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 1917-22 | 2118-25 | 2320-27 |
| 2 Check Forgery ($251-$2,500) | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 | 2118-25 |
| 1 Fleeing a Peace Officer (in vehicle) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 1917-22 |
Source: Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, § 4.A.
For the combined overview, see how the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines work.
How to read the grid
Find the offense's severity level on the left, then read across to the column for the criminal history score. The number in that cell is the presumptive fixed sentence in months; the smaller italic line beneath it is the discretionary range a court can impose without it being a departure.
Shaded cells are the presumptive-commitment (prison) zone. Unshaded cells are presumptively stayed, meaning probation is presumed, though local jail time and conditions can still be ordered.
Severity level and criminal history
Severity level is set by the offense of conviction, not the original charge - the Commission ranks every felony in its Offense Severity Reference Table. Criminal history score is built from prior felonies, custody status at the time of the offense, prior gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors, and certain juvenile adjudications.
Because both axes move the result, two people convicted of the same offense can face very different presumptive sentences. That is why an accurate severity ranking and a correctly calculated history score matter so much.
Departures from the grid
The grid produces a presumptive sentence, not a mandatory one. A court can depart up or down when there are identifiable, substantial, and compelling reasons. A downward dispositional departure - probation where prison is presumed - is often the single most valuable outcome sentencing advocacy can achieve.
This page is general information, not legal advice. For drug and sex offenses, Minnesota uses separate grids; see the Drug Offender Grid and Sex Offender Grid. For the full list of which offense sits at which level, see our Minnesota felony severity levels reference.
Updated May 18, 2026 · Law verified as of June 27, 2026. This article is general information about Minnesota law, not legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Grid?
It is the chart that sets the presumptive sentence for most felonies, combining the offense's severity level (11 to 1) with the criminal history score (0 to 6 or more). Where they intersect is the presumptive sentence and whether prison or a stayed sentence is presumed.
Is the grid sentence mandatory?
No. It is presumptive. A court can depart upward or downward with substantial and compelling reasons. A downward dispositional departure - probation instead of presumptive prison - is often the most valuable sentencing result.
What do the shaded cells mean?
Shaded cells are the presumptive-commitment zone, where prison is presumed. Unshaded cells are presumptively stayed, where probation is presumed, though local jail and conditions can still apply.
Do drug and sex offenses use this grid?
No. Controlled-substance offenses use the Drug Offender Grid and sex offenses use the Sex Offender Grid. This Standard Grid covers most other felonies.
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Read the guideThe information on this article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.