Alaska Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors represent an important category of criminal offenses in every U.S. state. In broad terms, a misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is less serious than a felony but more serious than a mere infraction. Individuals who committed these crimes are usually punished by fines, short-term incarceration in a local or county jail, or other equivalent sanctions. While each state defines, classifies, and penalizes misdemeanors differently, this article focuses on how they are handled in Alaska.

What Is a Misdemeanor in Alaska?

In Alaska, a misdemeanor is any crime that carries a maximum jail sentence of one year or less. The distinction between misdemeanors and other classes of crime, such as felonies, lies in the fact that misdemeanors carry lesser consequences.

Examples of misdemeanor crimes are thefts involving a value of under $500, assaults that do not include the use of weapons or serious physical injury. It also extends to minor weapons offenses and driving while intoxicated, to name a few.

Misdemeanor Classes and Penalties in Alaska

Under Alaska Statutes, misdemeanors are divided into two main classes: Class A and Class B.

• Class A misdemeanors are the more serious of the two. A defendant convicted of a Class A misdemeanor may be sentenced to a maximum of one year in county jail. An additional fine of up to $25,000 may be added to the sentence.
• Class B misdemeanors are the less serious category, punishable by up to 90 days in jail with the possibility of an additional fine of up to $2,000.

In addition to jail time and fines, the court may impose penalties such as probation, community service, or restitution, depending on the statute and the judge’s discretion. Repeat offenses or aggravating circumstances may elevate the punishment. In Alaska, a misdemeanor may be enhanced to a felony under certain repeat or aggravating factors.

Misdemeanor Court Process in Alaska

The typical court process for misdemeanors in Alaska proceeds along these lines:

• Arrest or citation – A law enforcement officer is authorized by law to arrest an individual or issue a citation if the officer suspects the individual of committing a misdemeanor.
• Initial appearance/arraignment – Once charged, the suspect is referred to as a defendant. Within 24 hours, the defendant is taken before a judge for an initial arraignment. The defendant is informed of the pending charges, his right to counsel, and whether to release him on bail pending further proceedings in the case.
• Bail – the judge may decide to release a defendant from custody on bail. The bail money is posted with the clerk of the court by the defendant or a bail bondsman on the defendant’s behalf.
• Grand Jury – In Alaska, the grand jury is an independent, investigative, and accusatory body composed of 18 citizens selected at random from various walks of life.
• Arraignment/Pre-trial phase – The prosecution and defense may engage in negotiations. At this stage, the judge will inform the defendant of the grand jury’s decision and will call upon the defendant to enter a plea. Most defendants will enter a “not guilty” plea, which will, in turn, lead to a trial.
• Trial or plea – This process is presided over by a judge. The trial jury must unanimously agree about a defendant’s guilt or innocence beyond a reasonable doubt for each count.
• Sentencing – In a misdemeanor case, a sentence is usually imposed shortly after the jury renders the verdict. If the jury unanimously votes to acquit the defendant, the case is over and the defendant is discharged. The length and terms of a sentence are determined within the statutory limits. Sentences may include jail, fines, probation, restitution, or other sanctions.
• Post-conviction and collateral consequences – A misdemeanor conviction may carry broader consequences, including impacts on employment, licensing, housing, and other civil rights.

In Alaska, jail time, even for misdemeanors, may be served in a state detention facility rather than a strictly county-run jail, depending on the locality. Many misdemeanor cases in the state are resolved via plea agreements or diversionary programs rather than a full trial.

Misdemeanor Records in Major Alaska Cities

In larger municipalities in Alaska, misdemeanor cases are processed in the state’s District Courts. For major cities in the state, individuals may visit the following locations:

• Anchorage (Anchorage Borough) - The Anchorage District Court handles misdemeanor cases in the city. Individuals may contact the court clerk’s office to access the docket and disposition information for misdemeanors.
• Juneau (Borough of Juneau) - Misdemeanor cases are heard at the Juneau District Court. The court clerk’s office is open to the public on weekdays.
• Fairbanks - The District Court in the Fairbanks North Star Borough deals with misdemeanors. All fines or jail sentences for misdemeanors may be paid at the local court or through online payment portals.

How to Search for Misdemeanor Records in Alaska

Misdemeanor records are available to the public. However, some court records, such as those related to juvenile matters or sealed records, are confidential and inaccessible to the public. When searching, individuals may find information such as the date of offense, the statute charged, the arresting agency, the defendant’s name, plea, or verdict. Other information on the records includes sentence details, fine/costs status, and probation terms, as well as whether fines or costs remain outstanding.

To locate misdemeanor records in Alaska, individuals may contact the following agencies:

• Court Portals: The Alabama Judicial Branch offers an online tool, CourtView, that allows individuals to search for public court case information. It includes the details of criminal cases, including misdemeanors. Individuals may search the online tool by case number or by the defendant's name.
• Criminal History Records: Individuals may request a complete certified criminal history record from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS). They may request it online from the DPS. Alternatively, they may visit a state trooper or an approved police department office to view the records. A fee is required for all background check requests.
• Courthouse/Clerk’s Office: Individuals may visit the clerk's office where the misdemeanor case was filed to request records. They must provide information related to the party’s name, dates, and case number (if known) to assist the search.
• Third-party record tools – Beyond the official court portals, private-public record aggregation services may offer access to Alaska misdemeanor records (accuracy and validity are not guaranteed).

How Long Does a Misdemeanor Stay on Your Record in Alaska?

In Alaska, there is no automatic expiration of misdemeanor convictions due to the passage of time. A conviction remains part of a criminal history unless an affirmative relief action is taken. Alaska does not have a general statutory mechanism for expunging or sealing adult convictions based purely on the passage of time or good behavior.

Under Section 12.62.180 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, sealing of records is possible only in certain circumstances. Even then, any conviction that was set aside remains on the criminal history as a “conviction set aside” and may still impact certain civil rights.

Therefore, unless individuals obtain judicial relief such as a set‐aside or rare sealing, a misdemeanor conviction in Alaska can remain visible on their record indefinitely.