CRIMINAL LAW
The loss of liberty is a serious threat. Nothing is more frightening than to be charged with a serious felony that may subject you to a prison sentence. Even a punishment that involves probation can be financially and emotionally difficult for defendants. Misdemeanors can also be detrimental to a person's present or future plans. It is important that people understand that certain misdemeanors can be enhanced if you plead guilty to them. For example, a misdemeanor theft (less than $2500) is enhanced to a state jail felony if you have two previous convictions for thefts regardless of the amount stolen. An allegation of assault family violence can be enhanced to a felony if you have a previous assault family violence conviction. There are countless stories of persons having to do prison time over small amounts of thefts. There are also many instances where a person pleads guilty to an assault family violence not realizing the consequences of such a plea.
AREAS OF PRACTICE - I handle all areas of criminal law including:
Murder
Assault
Family Violence
Robbery
Theft
Probation Violations (MTR's)
DWI's
Drug Cases
Murder
Assault
Family Violence
Robbery
Theft
Probation Violations (MTR's)
DWI's
Drug Cases
PUNISHMENT RANGES - The Texas Penal Code sets out the following ranges of punishment:
CLASS C Misdemeanor - Traffic tickets, city ordinance violations. No jail time. Fine no more than $500.
CLASS B Misdemeanor - Jail term not more than 180 days. Fine no more than $2000.
CLASS A Misdemeanor - Jail term not more than one year. Fine no more than $4000.
STATE JAIIL Felony - Jail no more than two years or less than 180 days. Fine no more than $10,000.
3RD DEGREE Felony - 2 to 10 years in prison. Fine no more than $10,000.
2ND DEGREE Felony - 2 to 20 years in prison. Fine no more than $10,000.
1ST DEGREE Felony - 5 to 99 years in prison. Fine no more than $10,000.
CAPITAL Felony - life in prison (without parole if you were 18 or older at the time of the commission of the crime) or the death penalty.
CLASS C Misdemeanor - Traffic tickets, city ordinance violations. No jail time. Fine no more than $500.
CLASS B Misdemeanor - Jail term not more than 180 days. Fine no more than $2000.
CLASS A Misdemeanor - Jail term not more than one year. Fine no more than $4000.
STATE JAIIL Felony - Jail no more than two years or less than 180 days. Fine no more than $10,000.
3RD DEGREE Felony - 2 to 10 years in prison. Fine no more than $10,000.
2ND DEGREE Felony - 2 to 20 years in prison. Fine no more than $10,000.
1ST DEGREE Felony - 5 to 99 years in prison. Fine no more than $10,000.
CAPITAL Felony - life in prison (without parole if you were 18 or older at the time of the commission of the crime) or the death penalty.