Criminal Defense

Felony Offenses

Felony offenses are serious criminal charges that may be punished by a sentence in prison and a substantial fine. The sentence for a felony can vary depending on the severity of the crime. In some cases, community supervision (probation) may be granted in lieu of prison time.

Many of the same crimes can be considered a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the degree of seriousness. Theft, for example, is considered a misdemeanor if the dollar amount of the stolen goods is less than $1,500. If the value of the goods stolen exceeds that amount, the crime may be considered a felony.

In addition to the possibility of serving prison time, people convicted of felony crimes lose many of their civil rights. The right to vote is taken away, as is the right to serve on a jury. Typically, convicted felons are not allowed to enlist or remain in the military. A felon's driver's license may be revoked or suspended; employers have the right to inquire about any felony convictions, and may require insurance coverage before hiring anyone with prior history as a felon. Many insurance companies will not insure convicted felons, therefore making it difficult for many people to obtain jobs.

If you are facing a felony charge, contact us today at (210) 225-6354 to set up a free consultation to discuss your particular situation and how we might best represent you.

Classification of Felonies

Felony offenses are divided into one of the following three classes in Texas, depending on the seriousness of the offense: Capital Felony, 1st Degree, 2nd Degree, 3rd Degree, and State Jail Felony. With some exceptions that may be triggered by a previous criminal record or other factors, the following basic punishment ranges are mandated:

Capital Felony - Punishable by confinement in prison for life with no possibility of parole, or the death penalty.

1st Degree Felony - Punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, confinement in prison for life or for any term from 5 to 99 years, or both such fine and confinement. Persons convicted of a 1st Degree offense may be eligible for community supervision.

2nd Degree Felony - Punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, confinement in prison for a term from 2 to 20 years, or both such fine and confinement. Persons convicted of a 2nd Degree Felony offense may be eligible for community supervision.

3rd Degree Felony - Punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, confinement in prison for a term from 2 to 10 years, or both such fine and confinement. Persons convicted of a 3rd Degree Felony offense may be eligible for community supervision.

State Jail Felony - Punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, confinement in a State Jail prison facility for a term from 180 days to 2 years, or both such fine and confinement. Persons convicted of a State Jail Felony offense may be eligible for community supervision.

Some Common Felony Offenses

Aggravated Assault
Aggravated Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon 
Aggravated Assault (Public Servant)
Aggravated Kidnapping 
Aggravated Perjury
Aggravated Promotion of Prostitution
Aggravated Robbery
Aggravated Sexual Assault
Agreement to Abduct From Custody 
Aiding Suicide
Arson
Attempted Murder
Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear
Bigamy
Burglary of a Habitation (Assault)
Burglary of a Habitation (Theft)
Burglary of Building
Capital Murder
Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse
Credit Card Transaction Record Laundering
Criminal Attempt
Criminal Conspiracy
Criminal Solicitation of a Minor
Criminally Negligent Homicide
Cruelty to Animals
DWI 3rd Offense
Endangering Child/Risk Bodily Injury
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
Evading Arrest or Detention in a Vehicle
Fail to Stop & Render Aid
Failure to Report Death of Prisoner
False Report to Parole Officer or Law Enforcement Employee
False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit
Forgery
Graffiti (School or Church)
Indecency w/ a Child
Injury to a Child
Insurance Fraud 
Interference with Child Custody
Intoxication Assault
Intoxication Manslaughter
Involuntary Manslaughter
Kidnapping
Leaving a Child in a Vehicle
Making a Firearm Accessible to a Child
Manslaughter
Money Laundering
Motion To Adjudicate (MTA)
Motion to Revoke Probation (MTRP)
Murder
Obstruction or Retaliation
Perjury
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (< 1 gr)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (< 1 gr) w/ Intent
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (1-4 gr)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (1-4 gr) w/ Intent
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (200-400 gr)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (200-400 gr) w/ Intent
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (4-200 gr)
Possession of a Controlled Substance, PG 1, (4-200 gr) w/ Intent
Possession of a Dangerous Drug
Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
Possession of Gambling Device/Equip./Paraph
Possession of Marijuana (over 4 oz.))
Possession or Promotion of Child Pornography
Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility
Robbery
Sale or Purchase of Child
Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault of a Child (Contact)
Sexual Assault of a Child (Penetration)
Sexual Performance by a Child
Taking/Attempting to Take Weapon From a Police Officer
Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence
Tampering with a Witness
Theft (over $1500)
Theft (by Check over $1500)
Trespass by License Holder to Carry Concealed Gun
Unauthorized Absence From Comm. Correctional Facility
Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

Serving clients in San Antonio, Bexar County; Bandera, Bandera County; New Braunfels, Comal County; San Marcos, Hays County; Seguin, Guadalupe County; Floresville, Wilson County; Jourdanton, Atascosa County; George West, Live Oak County; Gonzales County; Boerne, Kendall County; Kerrville, Kerr County; Fredericksburg, Gillespie County; Lockhart, Caldwell County; Austin, Travis County; Georgetown, Williamson County and other jurisdictions throughout Texas.

Disclaimer : This site is meant to provide useful information to those in need of legal representation and to educate the public on some of the criminal law issues facing Texas citizens. The information of this site is not legal advice. For legal advice, please contact our office.