English
SpanishThere are primarily three levels of crimes in Texas: infractions, felonies, and misdemeanors.
Infractions: Minor crimes that aren’t serious enough for the subject to be arrested. For example, playing loud music at a party, breaking the traffic signal, etc. These types of crimes are typically punished with financial charges and fines.
Felonies: Felonies refer to serious and major crimes in Texas. When a person commits a felony, they’re imprisoned by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in a state jail.
Misdemeanor: Less serious than a felony, misdemeanors are non-indictable offenses that are generally punished with some fines and jail time for a short period. A combination of both financial penalties and imprisonment is also possible. The fines for a misdemeanor are always below $4,000, and the jail period must not exceed one year.
Common Misdemeanor Classes
Class A
The most serious among all other misdemeanor crimes, a class A misdemeanor typically ends up in a fine of less than $4,000 in addition to a year in jail. However, the accused is only punished when they’re found guilty.
Class B
For committing a class B misdemeanor, you may have to pay a penalty below $2,000 and be imprisoned in the county jail for up to 6 months.
Class C
While committing a class C misdemeanor may not put you in jail, you’ll still have to pay a fine. The financial charges must not be $500 as class C misdemeanors are often the least serious of all other misdemeanor crimes.
Common Misdemeanor Crimes
- Trivial theft
- Stealing low-value property
- 1st offense DWIs
- Disorderly conduct
- Crimes associated with drug abuse involving small quantities.
- Minor traffic offenses
- Criminal trespass
- Writing bad checks
- Intoxication in public
- Possession of less dangerous weapons
- Shoplifting
- Leaving a child in an automobile unattended
- A person younger than 21, possessing alcohol or tobacco
Who May Get Sentenced for Committing a Misdemeanor in Texas
When a court in Texas sentences the perpetrator for a misdemeanor, they consider several factors.
- Does the person have a previous record of committing misdemeanors or felonies?
- Whether the crime was a one-time thing or the culprit is a repeat offender.
- Was the crime motivated by a personal objective, prejudice, or bias?
- Does the misdemeanor involve drugs?
The above-mentioned factors directly affect the jail time and the amount of fine required to be paid by the perpetrator.
Bail Bonds Services Texas
If you or a loved one has gotten arrested, Freedom Libertad San Angelo’s Bail Bond Office can help.
Get in touch with us today for more information and discover the best bail bond services in Texas.