Texas Felonies and Misdemeanors:

Types of Criminal Charges and their Punishments:

First Degree Felonies Class A Misdemeanor
Second Degree Felonies Class B Misdemeanor
Third Degree Felonies Class C Misdemeanor
State Jail Felonies


DISCLAIMER: The information provided below is a general overview of most of the different types of criminal charges and their punishments in the state of Texas. It is important to note that the penal code (laws regarding punishments) is very complex and that an attorney should be consulted for any advice regarding any particular case.

Furthermore: This guide does not provide any information about federal crimes, which are separate from state crimes. If you have been charged with a federal crime, you must contact an attorney who is specialized in federal offenses and their punishments.


Felonies

Capital Felonies:

Capital Felonies are the most serious and severely punished type of crime in Texas and are defined as an individual "intentionally or knowingly causes the death of [another] individual," under special circumstances. Under Texas Law, a Capital Felony is punishable by:
v Death by lethal injection; or
v Life imprisonment
Examples of Capital Felonies:

Committing murder of a public safety officer or firefighter in the line of duty; murder during the commission of specified felonies (kidnapping, burglary, robbery, aggravated rape, arson); murder for remuneration; multiple murders; murder during a prison escape; murder of a correctional officer; murder of a judge; murder by a state prison inmate who is serving a life sentence for any of five offenses; [or] murder of an individual under six years of age;

First Degree Felonies

A First Degree felony is a very serious type of criminal charge in Texas, second only to a capital felony. First Degree Felonies are punishable by:



v Lifelong imprisonment; or
v Imprisonment from five to 99 years with a possible fine up to $10,000
v Possibility of community supervision (adult probation)*

Examples of First Degree Felonies:

Aggravated robbery; Burglary of a habitation with intent to commit or commission of a felony; Murder;

Second Degree Felonies:

Second Degree Felonies are also very serious charges, and are punishable by:

v Imprisonment of two to twenty years, with a possible fine of up to $10000
v Possibility of community supervision (adult probation)*

Examples of Second Degree Felonies:

Aggravated assault; Bribery; Evading arrest (and death of another occurs); Intoxication manslaughter; Manslaughter; Robbery;

Third Degree Felonies:

Third Degree Felonies are serious charges and are punishable by:

v Imprisonment of two to ten years with a possible fine of up to $10,000.
v Possiblity of community supervision (adult probation)*

Examples of Third Degree Felonies:

Aggravated perjury; Bail jumping of a felony arrest; Intoxication assault; DWI (third offense);

State Jail Felonies:

State Jail Felonies are the least serious type of felonies, but also have considerable consequences and are punishable by:

v Imprisonment for 6 months to two years in a state jail, with a possible fine up to $10,000;
v Possibility of community supervision (adult probation)*
v Possibility of punishment as Class A Misdemeanor

State Jail Felony Examples:

Burglary of a building; Criminally negligent homicide; DWI with child passenger; Forgery of a check; Possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance; Theft of an item valued between $1500 and $20,000; Read more ....