Texas Misdemeanors
Houston Misdemeanor Attorney Jonathan B. Randolph
Misdemeanor Charges in Harris County, Texas
Misdemeanor crimes are usually considered less serious than felony crimes and typically carry less severe penalties. Additionally, misdemeanors may include license revocation or suspension as well as various fees and penalties. It should also be noted that you could receive an enhanced punishment if certain conditions apply.
Generally, there are three misdemeanors categories in Texas:
Misdemeanor Punishment Ranges
A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by confinement of up to 1 year in county jail, and/or a fine not greater than $4,000.00.
A Class B misdemeanor is punishable by confinement of up to 180 days in county jail and/or a fine not greater than $2,000.00.
A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not greater than $500.00.
However, in some instances, the misdemeanor offense carries a greater punishment due to the Defendant’s previous convictions:
Enhanced Misdemeanor Punishment Ranges
A Class A misdemeanor with Enhanced Punishment is punishable by confinement from 90 days to 1 year in county jail, and may include a fine not greater than $4,000.00. Enhancement of punishment is allowed if Defendant has a prior class A misdemeanor or any felony.
A Class B misdemeanor with Enhanced Punishment is punishable by confinement of 30 days to 180 days in county jail and may include a fine not greater than $2,000.00. Enhancement of punishment is allowed if Defendant has a prior Class A misdemeanor, Class B misdemeanor, or any felony.
A Class C misdemeanor with Enhanced Punishment (regarding disorderly conduct or Public Intoxication) is punishable by confinement of up to 180 days in county jail and may include a fine not greater than $2,000.00. Enhancement of punishment is allowed if Defendant has 3 prior convictions under § 42.01 or § 49.02 within the preceding 24 months of the commission of the current offense.
It is also important to note that there are instances in which an offense contains specific enhancement provisions allowing for the enhancement of the punishment, the specific provision controls over the above listed general enhancement rules.
In addition to the above punishments, having a misdemeanor on your record can have serious long-term consequences. A misdemeanor arrest and/or conviction will likely negatively impact you due to the increasing number of background checks performed in the United States. Specifically, a criminal record which contains a misdemeanor or an arrest of any kind may result in any of the following scenarios:
- A landlord may deny you as a tenant;
- A company may decide not to employ you;
- A school admissions board may deny you admission to the university or college;
- A professional board (such as the State Bar of Texas or the Texas Medical Board) may decline your license request in a specialized field or trade.
While most Texas misdemeanors may not result in extended jail time, we understand that this is your freedom and your future at stake. Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney at Randolph & Almonte, PLLC today to discuss your criminal charges in Texas.