Misdemeanor Crimes

Misdemeanor crimes are the most commonly committed crimes in the State of Texas. Misdemeanor penalties have serious impacts on your life and can result in jail time.

What is a Misdemeanor?

In the State of Texas, there are two main distinctions for criminal offenses, Felony and Misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is the “lesser” distinction of criminal offense, which means that the crimes charged with misdemeanors are not as serious or harmful to society compared to felonies. Some examples of misdemeanors include theft, gun possession and perjury.

How many types of Misdemeanor Crimes are there?

According to Texas Penal Code Title 3 Chapter 12 subchapter A, below are the Misdemeanor distinctions and their punishments:

Class C Misdemeanor

An individual adjudged guilty of a Class C misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.

Class B Misdemeanor

An individual adjudged guilty of a Class B misdemeanor shall be punished by:

(1)  A fine not to exceed $2,000;

(2)  Confinement in jail for a term not to exceed 180 days; or

(3)  Both such fine and confinement.

Class A Misdemeanor

An individual adjudged guilty of a Class A misdemeanor shall be punished by:

(1)  A fine not to exceed $4,000;
(2)  Confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year; or
(3)  Both such fine and confinement.

Is it possible to expunge a misdemeanor from my record?

In the state of Texas, it is possible to expunge a misdemeanor from your record under specific conditions based on your trial. These include:

  • Your case did not result in a guilty verdict;
  • Your charges were dismissed at trial;
  • The court acquitted you;
  • You were arrested but never charged; or
  • You were convicted, but later found innocent or pardoned.

For most misdemeanor charges, individuals must wait two years to be eligible for expunction, but Gary Tabakman can help expedite this process. To speak to Mr. Tabakman about your unique situation, call 713-429-1624 today to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation.