Houston Misdemeanor Lawyer

There are three types of misdemeanors in Houston, all of which are punishable by a year in a local or county jail in the State of Texas. Each type of misdemeanor requires payment of a fine and/or some sort of financial compensation to the state. The three types of misdemeanors are identified by letters, presented here from the highest to lowest levels of legal culpability:

• Misdemeanor, Class A: The punishment for a class A misdemeanor includes up to one year in jail and no more than a $4,000 fine. Depending on the nature of the crime, both jail time and payment of a fine may be required. Examples of a Class A misdemeanor in Texas include a second DUI offense, possession of marijuana, animal cruelty, and carrying a weapon unlawfully. This group of misdemeanors is considered the most serious in this criminal category.
• Misdemeanor, Class B: A class B misdemeanor is less severe than a class A, but can still be punished with up to six months in jail, a fine of no more than $2,000, or both. Crimes that fall into this class include a first DUI offense, making a terror threat, prostitution, vandalism, and making a false report to a police officer or 911. Class B misdemeanors are less severe than Class A misdemeanors, but still require the valuable guidance of a qualified attorney.
• Misdemeanor, Class C: Though Class C misdemeanors are considered the least serious of all the three types of misdemeanors, they are criminal offenses nonetheless. These crimes require no more than a $500 fine, though jail time is not included. Examples of behaviors that warrant this kind of classification include disorderly conduct, auto theft, writing bad checks, petty theft, and criminal trespass.