If you are arrested for a crime in Texas, it’s important to contact a Houston criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Any type of criminal charges should be viewed as serious and not something to take lightly. Even if you are facing misdemeanor charges, having the best criminal defense lawyer Houston has is essential.
You may wonder about the differences between felony and misdemeanor charges. You need to know the facts regardless of which you are facing.
What is a Misdemeanor?
Although a misdemeanor classified as a lesser crime than a felony, it still carries serious penalties. It is more serious than an infraction, which is the least serious type of crime. A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that can result in a convicted defendant facing less than one year of jail time. There are different classifications for this type of crime. They include the following:
- Class A misdemeanor: This category carries a penalty of one year or less in jail but more than six months
- Class B misdemeanor: This crime includes six months or less of jail time but more than 30 days
- Class C misdemeanor: This classification carries a penalty of 30 or fewer days in jail but more than five days
Misdemeanor convictions usually result in time served in local county jails.
What is a Felony?
A felony offense is the worst of all crimes. It carries a much more severe penalty than any other crime and can even include the death penalty in sentencing during a trial depending on the circumstances surrounding the case. There are different classifications of felony convictions a person can face. They include the following:
- Class A felony: This crime carries life in prison or even the death penalty
- Class B felony: This crime has a penalty of 25 years or more in prison
- Class C felony: This crime carries under 25 years but more than 10 years in prison
- Class D felony: This crime includes a prison sentence of under 10 years but more than five
- Class E felony: This crime includes under five years in prison but more than one year
If you are in Texas and face any criminal charges, you need an experienced Houston criminal lawyer on your side. Contact Daniel Williams & Associates at your earliest convenience to discuss your case.