The charges for criminal cases in Texas are determined on the nature of the crime, the defendant’s history and other circumstances related to the case. The system of determinate sentencing has been adopted in the state of Texas. As a result, a standard set of practices have been defined to establish the rationale for a case. It also enables consistent sentencing for crimes of a similar nature.

A criminal offense that results in prison sentences for a year or longer is generally termed as a felony. These are extremely serious offenses and involve violent behavior that is deemed dangerous for society and people. Murder, arson and other serious crimes fall under this category. There are also some felony charges which do not amount to serious offenses like the former but, are still considered a crime. It is labeled as misdemeanors or citations.

Felonies are considered a major crime in Texas. Capital felonies are categorized according to its severity into first, second or third-degree felonies and state jail felonies. Here is a list indicating the level of offense on which sentencing is based in Texas (from the least serious to the most severe).

• Misdemeanor (Class A, Class B and Class C)
• First degree felony
• Second degree felony
• Third degree felony
• Capital felony
• State jail felony

Contact an experienced Galveston criminal defense attorney to defend your case. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, it will fall under any of these categories.

Misdemeanors vs Felony Charges

Misdemeanors consist of the least serious offenses. People may be convicted for a misdemeanor for petty thefts, traffic citations, shoplifting, gambling, assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, etc. Depending on the seriousness of these charges, punishments have been fixed. The convicted person may be asked to pay fines and serve a jail sentence of less than a year. However, in case of felony charges, the sentences will be longer depending on the nature of the case.

For instance, first-degree murder will be classified as a Class A or Class 1 felony offense. It constitutes one of the most serious charges and may result in maximum punishment. Other incidents that involve violence and consist of cases like vandalism, arson, drug trafficking, sexual assault, robbery, embezzlement, tax evasion, etc. are dealt as per its seriousness.

Things to Remember If You Have Been Charged With Felony

If you or a family member has been booked under felony charges, do not hesitate to visit a criminal defense attorney. These are extremely serious charges and punishments can be quite harsh. Even if you have been arrested and the police think that you are guilty, ask permission to hire an attorney. Experienced lawyers have the resource and expertise to deal with serious offenses and can successfully lower your sentence or prevent longer jail terms.

The police station and the court is certainly not an amicable place to be. Rely on Galveston criminal defense attorney to take charge. They can handle the case from the start to the end. From completing paperwork to filing appeals and finding proof, rest assured about getting a verdict in your favor.