Texas Misdemeanor: Class, Crimes, and Charges

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In general, misdemeanors are the category of crimes that are considered to be the least offensive and may not result in imprisonment. In Texas, there are two categories of crimes felony and misdemeanor. Among both, felony includes the crimes that are most serious resulting in loss to people or property and misdemeanor may include less serious crimes in which no loss to life or property is caused.

In Texas, the misdemeanors are punished by jail of one year in local jail or county jail. Although the punishment for a misdemeanor may not be very serious, the convicted get in criminal records that may have a long-term effect on personal and professional life.

Classification of Misdemeanor in Texas:

According to the seriousness of crimes, a misdemeanor in Texas is divided into 3 classes:

1. CLASS A: This class includes the most serious crimes of the misdemeanor category, but the crimes are less serious than a felony.

Examples of class A crimes: burglary of vehicles, carrying a gun without permission, theft of property that valued minimum for $ 750 but not more than $ 2500, domestic violence.

Charges for Class A crimes: Class A misdemeanor includes a punishment of:

• Fine up to $ 4000
• Up to 1-year jail in the county jail
• Or both fine and jail

2. CLASS B: This class of crime is considered to be less serious than Class A crimes.

Examples of Class B crimes:  possession of two ounces of marijuana, drunk driving, theft of a property that valued a minimum of $ 100 but not more than $ 750, prostitution, terrorist threat.

Charges for Class B crimes: Class B misdemeanor includes a punishment of \

• Fine up to $ 2000
• Up to 180 days of jail in the county jail
• Or both fine and jail

3. CLASS C: This class is considered to include the least serious crimes of a misdemeanor in comparison to Class A and Class B.

Examples of Class C crimes: Public intoxication, disorderly conduct, possession of alcohol by a minor, theft of property valued under $ 100, disorderly conduct, possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Charges for Class C crimes: being the least serious class of crimes there is no jail time included in this class.

• Fine up to $ 500

Charges for other misdemeanor offenses in Texas: 

For certain circumstances the sentencing in Texas may be different like: 

1. For repeated offenses:  If a person has been previously convicted for class A misdemeanor then the person will be punished for a minimum of 90 days in jail and that too in the county jail. 

If a person has repeated the offense for Class b misdemeanor, then there will be a sentencing minimum of 30 days mandatory in jail.

2. For usage of drugs:  If the convicted is found to use the drug for committing the crime, then there is a sentencing minimum of 180 days mandatory jail.

3. Offense motivated by bias or prejudice: In such cases of offense, there will be a sentencing minimum of 180 days of mandatory jail.

Consequences of Misdemeanor charges in Texas: Though in Texas misdemeanor charges are negligible still can have a long-term effect in most aspects of the life of an individual. When convicted for such charges, it results in a permanent criminal record. The convicted may not be able to get the desired job, admission to colleges, renting or buying a home, suspension of license, or even change in immigration status.

Typically, a misdemeanor in Texas is the category of crimes that is less serious that may not cause any harm to life and property. Some common examples of such crimes are driving while intoxicated (DWI) first offenses, family assault violence, theft of property, possession of drugs, certain weapons, etc. The punishment for such a crime in Texas is less severe than the punishment for a felony, it may be some amount of fine or some jail time or both, still, such charges have the potential to have a negative impact on one’s life as they can be a permanent criminal record. Even in Class C of the misdemeanor the class of the least serious crime can also result in a permanent criminal record. So, one should never ignore the misdemeanor charges and take them seriously.

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