Felony Defense in Texas
Criminal Defense in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and Throughout Texas
In the United States, local, state, and federal governments establish penal codes to punish crimes. The state, through a prosecutor, initiates a legal action to seek punishment for criminal offenses. Persons convicted of a crime may be incarcerated, fined, or both.
Crimes are classified by the degree of seriousness as either felonies or misdemeanors. A misdemeanor carries a penalty of up to one year in jail, while a felony, a more serious offense, carries a sentence of more than one year and, depending on the charge, can carry a life sentence or even the death penalty.
Felonies are generally classified by degree of seriousness. In Texas, the law designates three degrees: first, second, and third. In addition, there are two other categories. A state-jail felony is the least serious type of felony. The most serious type of felony, punishable by execution, is called capital felony. It's intended only for premeditated murder.
Crimes commonly designated as felonies include, but are not limited to:
- Aggravated Assault
- Burglary
- Sexual Assault
- Murder
- Arson
- Grand Theft
- Kidnapping
- Human Trafficking
- Arson
- Treason
- DUI
- Racketeering
- Federal Gun & Drug Offenses
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Computer Crime
As noted, the most serious punishment for a felony, execution, is reserved for those convicted of capital murder. Other felony punishments range in severity from probation to imprisonment. Felons also face other consequences, including loss of professional licenses or exclusion from particular lines of work, such as nursing, teaching, and law enforcement. Other punishments can include loss of voting rights (while incarcerated), ineligibility for public office, and prohibition from purchasing or possessing firearms or ammunition, which means never being allowed to get a hunting license or even be present in a hunting camp. In Texas, imprisonment or conviction of a felony is also grounds for divorce. And individuals who are not U.S. citizens are subject to deportation after a felony sentencing.
When you are facing felony allegations, your life and your liberty are at stake. Trusted legal advice and the expertise of a skilled criminal defense attorney will make a significant difference in whether the charges against you are dismissed or the allegations lead to conviction, acquittal, or favorable settlement.
Contact a Skilled Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer
For your convenience, we answer our phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Evening and weekend meetings can be arranged upon request. To set up a free initial consultation, email us or call 844-402-2992. Se habla español.
At Bailey & Galyen, we provide comprehensive legal counsel to individuals across Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas, including Arlington, Bedford, Burleson, Carrollton, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Grapevine, Houston, Lubbock, San Antonio, Santa Fe, Springdale, Sugar Land, Mansfield, Mesquite, Midland/Odessa and Plano.