Texas Criminal Charges List: What You Need to Know About the Law

Understanding Texas Criminal Law: A Complete Overview

A Texas criminal charges list is essential for anyone facing legal trouble, as the state divides offenses into misdemeanors and felonies. Each classification, from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Capital Felony, carries specific penalties. These range from a $500 fine to life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Quick Reference: Texas Criminal Charge Classifications

Classification	Punishment Range	Fine	Examples
Class C Misdemeanor	No jail time	Up to $500	Traffic violations, Public intoxication
Class B Misdemeanor	Up to 180 days in county jail	Up to $2,000	First DWI, Minor marijuana possession
Class A Misdemeanor	Up to 1 year in county jail	Up to $4,000	Assault with bodily injury, Burglary of vehicle
State Jail Felony	180 days to 2 years in state jail	Up to $10,000	DWI with child passenger, Credit card abuse
Third-Degree Felony	2 to 10 years in prison	Up to $10,000	Third DWI, Stalking, Intoxication assault
Second-Degree Felony	2 to 20 years in prison	Up to $10,000	Aggravated assault, Sexual assault, Robbery
First-Degree Felony	5 to 99 years or life in prison	Up to $10,000	Murder, Aggravated robbery, Trafficking of minors
Capital Felony	Life without parole or death penalty	N/A	Capital murder, Murder for hire

Understanding this system is critical. Misdemeanors, while less severe, still result in a permanent criminal record. Felonies are the most serious offenses, leading to prison time and the loss of fundamental civil rights, such as voting and firearm ownership.

Factors like prior convictions or the use of a weapon can escalate charges, turning a misdemeanor into a felony. The stakes are high, as any conviction can impact your employment, housing, and future.

I’m Brian Nguyen, co-founder of Universal Law Group and head of our criminal defense division. As a former Assistant District Attorney, I have nearly two decades of experience on both sides of the courtroom. This gives me a unique insight into how prosecutors build cases and how to defend against them.

This guide will explain the landscape of Texas criminal charges, from penalties to potential defenses, so you can understand what you’re facing and how to protect your future.

How Texas Classifies Criminal Offenses

When facing criminal charges in Texas, it’s crucial to understand how the legal system categorizes offenses. The Texas Penal Code organizes crimes into a hierarchy based on severity, which determines potential punishments, from fines to prison time and the loss of civil rights.

Texas divides all criminal offenses into two main categories: misdemeanors and felonies. These are further broken down into classes or degrees, each with a specific punishment range. This determinate sentencing system aims for consistency across the state, though the specifics of your case—like your criminal history—can influence the outcome.

The distinction between a misdemeanor and a felony is significant. A misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent criminal record but generally does not strip you of civil rights like voting or owning a firearm. A felony conviction, however, has lifelong consequences. Beyond prison time and higher fines, it typically means losing your right to vote (until your sentence is complete), permanently losing your right to own firearms, and being barred from jury service.

Let’s break down the key differences:

Feature	Misdemeanor	Felony
Typical Punishment Location	County Jail	State Jail or State Prison (TDCJ)
Maximum Jail/Prison Time	Up to 1 year	180 days to life, or death
Typical Maximum Fine	Up to $4,000	Up to $10,000
Impact on Civil Rights	Generally no loss (e.g., voting, firearm ownership)	Significant loss (e.g., voting, firearm ownership, jury service)
Severity	Less severe, often for minor offenses	Most serious, often for violent crimes or significant property crimes
Criminal Record Visibility	Public record, impacts background checks	Public record, significant impact on background checks

Misdemeanors: Less Severe Offenses

Misdemeanors are considered less severe, but a conviction still creates a permanent criminal record that can affect employment and housing. Sentences are served in county jail for up to one year, with lower fines than felonies. Importantly, you generally retain your civil rights. Texas has three classes: Class C (fine only), Class B (up to 180 days in jail), and Class A (up to one year in jail). Many people facing misdemeanor charges are eligible for community supervision (probation) instead of jail time, a crucial option we often help clients secure.

Felonies: The Most Serious Crimes

Felonies are life-altering offenses. Punishments include confinement in a state jail or state prison (TDCJ), fines up to $10,000, and the permanent loss of civil rights. The long-term impact includes barriers to employment, housing, and professional licensing. Texas has five felony categories: state jail felonies (180 days to two years), third-degree felonies (2-10 years), second-degree felonies (2-20 years), first-degree felonies (5-99 years or life), and capital felonies (life without parole or the death penalty). Understanding where your charge falls is essential for your defense strategy, as the difference between degrees can mean decades of your life.

A Comprehensive Texas Criminal Charges List: Misdemeanors

Most people who encounter the Texas criminal justice system face misdemeanor charges. While less severe than felonies, a misdemeanor conviction creates a permanent criminal record that appears on background checks, affecting your job, housing, and professional licensing opportunities. Understanding the Texas criminal charges list for misdemeanors is the first step in protecting your future.

Class C Misdemeanors

Class C misdemeanors are the least severe offenses, punishable by a fine up to $500 with no jail time. Paying the fine is a guilty plea, creating a criminal record. For first-time offenders, deferred adjudication may be an option to have the charge dismissed and keep your record clean.

Common examples include:

• Public intoxication
• Disorderly conduct
• Theft of property under $100
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Most traffic violations (e.g., speeding)
• Minor in possession of alcohol

Class B Misdemeanors

Class B misdemeanors carry much higher stakes: up to 180 days in county jail and a fine up to $2,000. Courts may also impose community supervision (probation) with conditions like drug testing and community service.

Common examples include:

• Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – 1st offense
• Possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana
• Criminal trespass
• Prostitution
• Theft of property valued between $100 and $750
• Interference with a 911 call

Class A Misdemeanors

As the most serious misdemeanor category, Class A offenses are punishable by up to one year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000. A year in jail can cost you your job and home, making these charges incredibly serious.

Common examples include:

• Assault with bodily injury (especially in family violence cases)
• Burglary of a vehicle
• DWI – 2nd offense
• Unlawfully carrying a weapon (UCW)
• Resisting arrest
• Possession of 2 to 4 ounces of marijuana
• Theft of property valued between $750 and $2,500

While not felonies, misdemeanors require serious legal attention. Proper representation can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal, or jail time and probation.

Understanding the Texas Felony Charges List

Felonies are the most serious category of criminal offense in Texas, carrying life-altering consequences. A conviction typically means imprisonment in a state jail or prison run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), fines up to $10,000, and a permanent criminal record. The impact extends for life, affecting your right to vote, own firearms, serve on a jury, and find employment or housing. Understanding the Texas criminal charges list for felonies is critical, as the distinctions between levels can mean the difference between rebuilding your life and spending decades behind bars.

State Jail Felonies

• Punishment: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine up to $10,000.
• Key Feature: Sentences are often served day-for-day without parole eligibility. However, under Texas Penal Code Sec. 12.44, some charges can be reduced to a misdemeanor, an outcome we have successfully achieved for many clients.
• Examples: DWI with a child passenger, credit card abuse, cruelty to animals, possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance (e.g., cocaine), theft of property ($2,500-$30,000), and burglary of a building.

Third-Degree Felonies

• Punishment: 2 to 10 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Key Feature: Often represent escalating patterns of behavior or more serious versions of lesser offenses.
• Examples: Third DWI offense, stalking, possession of a firearm by a felon, tampering with evidence, and intoxication assault.

Second-Degree Felonies

• Punishment: 2 to 20 years in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Key Feature: These are typically serious violent crimes or offenses causing significant harm.
• Examples: Aggravated assault, intoxication manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, arson, and manslaughter.

First-Degree Felonies

• Punishment: 5 to 99 years or life in state prison and a fine up to $10,000.
• Key Feature: Among the most severe offenses, often resulting in lengthy prison sentences.
• Examples: Murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, arson of a habitation, and trafficking of persons under 14.

Capital Felonies

• Punishment: Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. There are no other sentencing options.
• Key Feature: Reserved for the most heinous crimes recognized under Texas law.
• Examples: Murder of a police officer or firefighter, murder during the commission of another felony (like kidnapping or robbery), murder for hire, and murder of a child under 15.

If you face any felony charge, immediate action is crucial. Early legal representation provides the best opportunity to challenge the state’s case and protect your future.

Factors That Can Change Your Sentence

When you’re charged with a crime in Texas, the standard punishment range on the Texas criminal charges list is only a starting point. Many factors can alter a sentence, either increasing the penalties or opening the door to more favorable outcomes. As former prosecutors, we understand how these nuances can transform a case, and we use that knowledge to our clients’ advantage.

Punishment Improvements: When Penalties Increase

Texas law includes “punishment improvements” that escalate penalties for aggravating circumstances. These can turn a lower-level offense into a much more serious one with harsher consequences.

Key factors that increase penalties include:

• Prior convictions: Texas’s habitual offender laws impose severe sentences for repeat offenses. Two prior felony convictions could lead to a life sentence for a new felony.
• Use of a deadly weapon: An affirmative finding that a weapon was used can increase the sentence and delay parole eligibility.
• Victim’s status: Crimes against public servants (e.g., police officers, judges) or motivated by bias (hate crimes) carry improved penalties.
• Location of the crime: Offenses committed in a declared disaster area or on a college campus can also be subject to increased punishment.

These improvements are detailed in the Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 – Punishments and can dramatically change the stakes of your case.

Mitigating Factors and Alternatives to Conviction

Just as some factors increase penalties, others can work in your favor to reduce them or help you avoid a conviction altogether. A skilled defense attorney will highlight these mitigating factors.

Favorable factors and alternatives include:

• First-time offender status: Courts are often more lenient with individuals who have no criminal history.
• Minor role in the offense: Demonstrating limited involvement or that you acted under duress can reduce culpability.
• Genuine remorse: Taking responsibility, seeking treatment for underlying issues, or making restitution to victims can positively influence a judge.
• Deferred adjudication: This form of probation allows you to complete certain conditions in exchange for a dismissal of the charge, avoiding a conviction on your record. It’s a powerful tool for protecting your future.
• Plea bargaining: We leverage our experience as former prosecutors to negotiate with the state for reduced charges or lighter sentences.
• Pre-trial intervention programs: For some offenses, especially drug-related ones, these programs offer a path to dismissal upon completion of classes or treatment.

A strong legal strategy is essential. We investigate every detail to challenge the prosecution’s case and build a compelling argument for the best possible outcome, whether that’s an acquittal at trial or a favorable plea agreement.

Navigating the Aftermath and Finding Legal Help

Facing criminal charges in Texas involves more than just court dates and potential fines. The consequences of a conviction can follow you for life, creating barriers long after your sentence is served. A criminal record, whether from a misdemeanor or a felony, is a public document that can impact your ability to find a job, secure housing, or obtain a professional license.

The Lasting Consequences of a Conviction

The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony record is immense. While both appear on background checks, a felony conviction carries far more severe and permanent consequences.

• Loss of Civil Rights: After a felony conviction, you lose your right to vote until your sentence is fully discharged. You also permanently lose your right to own firearms under federal and state law and become ineligible for jury service.
• Professional Licensing: Many careers in fields like nursing, teaching, and real estate require a clean record. A conviction can lead to license denial or revocation.
• Immigration Consequences: For non-citizens, any criminal conviction can lead to deportation, denial of naturalization, or other severe immigration issues.
• Public Accessibility: Crime data is widely accessible to the public through portals like the UCR Public Portal, making it nearly impossible to escape your past without legal intervention.

These lasting consequences are why we fight so hard for our clients, no matter how minor the charge may seem.

Where to Find Help: Your Guide to the Texas criminal charges list

While official resources like the 2024 Texas Statutes :: Penal Code outline the law, they don’t provide the strategic guidance needed to steer the justice system. This is where an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential.

At Universal Law Group, our team includes former prosecutors who understand how the state builds and tries cases. This unique perspective allows us to identify weaknesses and negotiate effectively. A skilled attorney will:

• Protect your rights from the moment of arrest.
• Explain the charges and potential outcomes in clear terms.
• Build a defense strategy by investigating evidence and police procedures.
• Negotiate for reduced charges or alternative sentencing through plea bargaining.
• Provide zealous representation in court if your case goes to trial.

The right legal team can mean the difference between a conviction and a dismissal. When facing criminal charges in Texas, the stakes are too high to go it alone. Contact our criminal defense attorneys in Houston for a case review and let us put our experience to work for you.

Protect Your Future

Understanding the Texas criminal charges list is the first step in confronting a criminal charge. We’ve covered the spectrum of Texas law, from minor misdemeanors to life-altering felonies, and highlighted how a conviction can impact your life for years to come.

A criminal record can close doors to employment, housing, and professional opportunities. For felony convictions, the consequences are even more severe, including the loss of fundamental civil rights like voting and firearm ownership.

We’ve also shown that the initial charge is not the final word. Factors like prior convictions can increase penalties, while mitigating circumstances and strategic legal work can lead to reduced charges or even a dismissal. The outcome often depends on the quality of your legal representation.

At Universal Law Group, our defense is powered by a unique advantage: my experience as a former Assistant District Attorney. I know how prosecutors think, how they build cases, and where to find the weaknesses in their arguments. This insider perspective allows us to craft effective defense strategies designed to achieve the best possible outcome, whether that’s a dismissal, a favorable plea deal, or an acquittal at trial.

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Texas, you don’t have to steer this overwhelming system alone. Your future is worth fighting for, and having the right team on your side is critical.

Take the first step today. Contact our Houston criminal defense team for a comprehensive case review. The sooner you have an experienced attorney protecting your rights, the better your chances of a favorable outcome.

Contact our criminal defense attorneys in Houston for a case review