While misdemeanors aren’t as serious as felonies, they still come with stiff legal and personal consequences. You could face jail time and a fine, as well as other possible consequences, such as losing the right to bear arms. Also, some convictions can prevent you from receiving financial aid and might impact your employment opportunities. Thus, even though a misdemeanor charge is less serious than a felony, a conviction can still have a negative impact on your life today and in the future.
Fortunately, you can fight back against the charge with help from an Austin misdemeanor lawyer. The burden of proof is the prosecution’s responsibility, and mounting a strong defense can help you avoid both the short- and long-term consequences of a conviction. Contact our firm today so we can begin gathering evidence and building your defense.
The Texas penal system has three categories for misdemeanors based on severity. You can be charged with a:
Class C misdemeanors are the least serious of offenses but still include penalties that you want to avoid. Contact our Austin misdemeanor lawyer to see if you can get the charges dismissed. If not, your attorney can build a case for trial.
The potential penalties for misdemeanor convictions depend on the charge. If you’re charged with a Class C misdemeanor, you won’t have to go to jail if convicted. Still, you can be fined up to $500 if found guilty. Also, the penalties for some Class C misdemeanors include restrictions on firearm ownership for five years.
If convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, the judge could send you to jail for up to 180 days and fine you as much as $2,000. Then, the penalties for a Class A misdemeanor include up to $4,000 in fines and as much as one year in jail.
Instead of accepting the penalties, fight back with help from an Austin misdemeanor lawyer.
A criminal record can follow you for the rest of your life, closing doors that would normally be open. This is true even if your record only lists charges and arrests without any convictions. If you are tired of your record holding you back, consult with an Austin misdemeanor lawyer about sealing or expunging your records.
If you were arrested but not convicted, you might be able to expunge your records. This is referred to as an expunction in Texas, and if successful, it will be as if the arrest or charge never happened. In fact, you won’t even have to admit that you were ever arrested once your record is expunged.
While you cannot expunge convictions, you might be able to seal your records. Your attorney can explore filing an order of non-disclosure to prevent your charges from appearing on criminal background checks. Then, you won’t have to worry about your conviction preventing you from seeking employment, housing, and more. Contact us today if you’d like to go over your legal options.
You could be subject to enhanced penalties if charged with a misdemeanor in Texas. For instance, if you have been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor in the past, you’ll have to go to jail for at least 90 days if convicted again. However, if the second charge is for a Class B misdemeanor, your minimum sentence will be 30 days. There are also enhanced sentencing guidelines for some drug crimes. Additionally, if the court finds that you were motivated by prejudice or bias, you can face stiffer penalties. The penalties can be significant, so reach out to our Austin misdemeanor lawyer for assistance.
If you are currently facing felony charges, your attorney might be able to get them reduced to a misdemeanor. While you’ll still have to deal with penalties if convicted of a misdemeanor, the consequences are less severe. First, contact an Austin misdemeanor lawyer to review the evidence in your case. Then your attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor or attempt to reduce the charges. In some instances, you might even be eligible to have the charges dropped. For instance, if the state has a weak case against you, your lawyer can advocate for a dismissal.
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Kimbrough Legal, PLLC
5920 W. William Cannon Dr., Bldg 3, Ste 400,
Austin, TX 78749
Kimbrough Legal, PLLC
Kimbrough Legal, PLLC
