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Texas Misdemeanor Crimes by Class and Sentences
Misdemeanors in Texas are crimes punishable by up to one year in local or county jail. Misdemeanors are categorized as Class A, B, or C. (Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.03.) More serious crimes (felonies) are punishable by death or terms in state jail or prison.
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Texas Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences
In Texas, felonies are crimes punishable by terms that must be served in state prison or state jail. Less serious crimes (misdemeanors) are punishable by up to one year in local or county jail.
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Expunging or Sealing Adult Criminal Records in Texas
In Texas, the process of expunging a criminal record is often called “expunction.” In addition, some criminal records may be sealed by court order, called an “order of nondisclosure.”
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What to Know When Charged with a Crime in Texas
Every criminal case begins with an investigation. Law enforcement officers investigate an alleged crime and make a report. This report might be very brief or it might be detailed. One officer...
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How to Handle a Bench Warrant or Failure to Appear in Texas
What should you do if you fail to appear for court or learn a bench warrant has been issued for your arrest?
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Jury Selection in Criminal Cases in Texas
One of the most important parts of a criminal trial is jury selection, formally known as “voir dire." In federal court, the judge conducts the majority (if not all) of the jury selection. In state court in Texas, the lawyers have a much larger role.
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Texas Criminal Statute of Limitations
Below are the statutes of limitation for criminal cases in Texas which set forth the time periods within which a legal proceeding must be commenced.
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Driving on a Suspended License in Texas
Like all states, Texas may suspend or revoke your license for many reasons. The state takes a suspension or revocation seriously and may charge you with a crime if you drive when your license is not valid.
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Texas Minor in Possession of Alcohol Laws
A minor in Texas may not buy, possess, or consume alcohol; or knowingly provide false information to obtain alcohol. It is also illegal for adults to purchase alcohol for, sell to, or otherwise provide alcohol to minors.
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Texas Public Intoxication Laws
Texas penal code 49.02 was enacted in 1993, and makes public intoxication illegal in the state. An officer can make an arrest for public intoxication if an individual poses a threat to themselves or others.
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Intoxication Manslaughter in Texas
In at least one state, Texas, lawmakers have created a category of homicide that applies to situations where a drunk or intoxicated person operates a motor vehicle and causes the death of someone else.
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Possession of a Controlled Substance in Texas
All states regulate the possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), though each differs in its exact definition of CDS and the penalties for illegal possession. Texas classifies not only well-known drugs like marijuana, heroin, and cocaine as CDS, but also the compounds used to manufacture them.
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The possession and sale of any amount of marijuana is illegal in Texas, and potential penalties vary by the amount possessed or sold.
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Shoplifting in Texas is a crime with serious penalties, including potential fines and jail time. In addition to facing criminal penalties, shoplifters can be sued by merchants in civil court to recover damages.
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The crime of identity theft occurs when someone wrongfully uses another person’s personal details to obtain goods, services, or anything else of value. In Texas, two main laws apply to identity theft situations. You can read Identity Theft Law if you’d like to know more about these types of crimes.
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Texas Petty Theft and Other Theft Laws
Like the majority of states, Texas classifies its theft offenses according to the value of the stolen property or services -- and in some instances, by the type of property that is taken.
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Charged With Theft By Check in Texas: Now What?
“Theft by Check” is what a Texas citizen is charged with when he or she writes a check for an item, but there are insufficient funds in the checking account to cover the item. The criminal case begins as follows. A person receives a check...
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Burglary and Home Invasions in Texas
Each state has its own laws defining burglary, attempted burglary, home invasion (the burglary of a dwelling), and trespass. And penalties vary according to the circumstances of the crime, as described below. Burglary In Texas, burglary is defined as unlawfully entering or remaining in any structure
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Burglary Of A Coin Operated Machine in Texas
The state of Texas has identified the crime of burglarizing a coin operated machine as a specific criminal offense. This means that the state has created a law that specifically targets this kind of crime.
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In Texas, the crime of forgery consists of making, altering, or using any falsified written item with the intent to defraud or harm another. Written items include any document but also coins, badges, credit cards and seals. Under Texas law, to forge means to:
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Texas law prohibits motor vehicle theft and joyriding. To learn more about motor vehicle theft, see Grand Theft Auto. Theft Texas law prohibits taking property that does not belong to you without the property owner’s consent and with the intent to deprive the owner of the property. People who take
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Embezzlement is a kind of property theft. It occurs when a defendant, who was entrusted to manage or monitor someone else’s money or property, steals all or part of that money or property for the defendant’s personal gain.
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Open and Concealed Gun Carry Laws in Texas
Texas protects the right to bear arms under Article I, Section 23 of the state constitution, but this does not mean that everyone may carry a gun, or that you may always carry a gun wherever you like.
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Texas doesn’t require a permit to have stun guns or Tasers, but these electronic weapons must be used in a legal way.
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A conviction for assault becomes part of your permanent criminal record. If you are convicted later of another crime, the court can consider your prior conviction and impose a harsher sentence in the new case.
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Cyberbullying occurs when people, primarily children, use social media, the Internet, or other forms of communication to intimidate, harass, threaten, or belittle others. Though many people don’t realize it, cyberbullying can have serious legal consequences. In Texas, acts of bullying and cyberbullying
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Texas recognizes three different crimes of domestic violence: domestic assault, aggravated domestic assault and continuous violence against the family. An act of violence constitutes domestic violence if it is committed against a family member, a household member or someone the offender is currently dating or dated in the past, including:
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Aggravated Assault and Deadly Conduct in Texas
Aggravated assault in Texas consists of intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing serious bodily injury to another person, or using or exhibiting a deadly weapon in the course of committing any assault crime.
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With the rise of cell phone use, especially among teenagers, the practice of “sexting”—sending nude or sexually suggestive photos by text message—has grown.
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Prostitution, Pimping, and Pandering Laws in Texas
Prostitution (exchanging sex for money or other items of value) and patronizing (paying someone for sex) are both illegal in Texas. This is true even if you are caught merely offering to buy or sell sex. These activities are Class B misdemeanors.
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Statutes governing Texas's age of consent, associated criminal charges, available defenses, and penalties for conviction.
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In Texas, people who know that they are infected with HIV/AIDS and expose other people to the disease can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, or even attempted murder. People who know they are infected with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) could also possibly be charged with assault.