Criminal Defense In Texas
Have you been charged with a crime in Texas? Is there a difference between being charged with a crime and being convicted of a crime? What is the difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony? Finally, how a criminal history affect your life?
Charged In Texas:
In Texas, there are two types of charges, Misdemeanors and Felonies. They both have sub-classifications defining the degrees of the charge.
Misdemeanor:
Misdemeanors are for lesser offenses. They range from Class C to A depending upon the seriousness of the charge.
Class C Misdemeanor:
Class C Misdemeanor is punishable by a fine up to $500. There is no jail time included in a Class C Misdemeanor. They include charges such as public intoxication, theft of property of less than $50 and solicitation of prostitution.
Class B Misdemeanor:
A Class B Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000 or both. They include charges such as prostitution, indecent exposure and minor drug possession.
Class A Misdemeanor:
A Class A Misdemeanor is punishable up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000 or both. Class A Misdemeanors include charges such as assault with bodily injury, cruelty to animals, resisting arrest and possession of two to four ounces of marijuana.
Felony:
Felonies are more serious charges than Misdemeanors. In Texas to be formally charged with a Felony, the prosecutor will have presented an outline of the charges against you to a grand jury, who Billed,the charge against you will move forward.
Felonies start with a State Jail Felony and then increase in degree from third to first degree and end with a Capital Felony.
State Jail felony:
State Jail Felonies are the lowest level of felony in the Texas system. They are punishable by confinement from 180 days up to two years and fine not to exceed $10,000. Examples of State Jail Felonies include: theft of property worth $1,500 to 20,000, credit card abuse, unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest in a vehicle.
Third Degree Felony:
Third Degree Felonies are punishable by two to ten years imprisonment and a fine up to $10,000. Examples of Third Degree Felonies include: aggravated perjury, possession of a firearm by felon, stalking and tampering with evidence.
Second Degree Felony:
Second Degree Felonies are punishable by imprisonment from two to twenty years and a fine up to $10,000. Examples of Second Degree Felony include: causing serious injury to a family member, manslaughter, possession of 50 to 2,000 pounds of marijuana and bribery.
First Degree Felony:
First Degree Felonies are punishable by imprisonment from five to ninety-nine years and a fine not to exceed $10,000. First Degree Felonies include: aggravated kidnapping, murder, causing serious bodily injury to a child, senior citizen or a disabled person and trafficking persons under the age of of fourteen.
Capital Felony:
Capital Felonies in Texas are punishable by death or life in prison without parole. An example of a Capital Felony would be capital murder.