Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

A Class "U" felony means that the punishment is found in the statute that defines the crime. So what the sentence may be depends on what the crime is. For example, a Grand Larceny is a Class U - the punishment (up to 20 years in prison) is found in Code section 18.2-95 which also defines the elements of the crime. Being a first offender can make a difference but again it depends on the type of crime.