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Common Misdemeanors in DFW
- Assault Causing Bodily Injury: According to Texas Penal Code § 22.01, assault is when a person knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly, causes bodily injury to another. Also, bodily injury is defined as physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition (See Texas Penal Code § 1.07(8)).
- Criminal Mischief: The penalties for the offense depend on multiple factors such as the value of the property damages or destroyed, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and much more.
- Deadly/Disorderly Conduct: Under Texas Penal Code § 42.01, there are different conducts that can be classified as disorderly conduct.
- Driving with an Invalid or Suspended License – Driving with an invalid or suspended license is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Texas Transportation Code § 521.457 states the elements necessary for a person to commit this offense.
- Failure to Identify to a Police Officer – Texas Penal Code § 38.02 indicates the instances when an individual commits this offense.
- Failure to Stop and Render Aid – It is unlawful to leave the scene of a crash involving another motor vehicle (See Texas Transportation Code § 550.022).
- Indecent Exposure – Under Texas Penal Code § 21.08, a person commits the offense of indecent exposure when the defendant exposes their anus or any parts of their genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of another without any regards to who is present and will be offended or alarmed by this action.
- Misdemeanor DWI – To be charged with a misdemeanor DWI the defendant was operating a motor vehicle on a public road while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
- Misdemeanor of Theft/Property Crime – The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor depending on how it was stolen, and the value of the item or items stolen.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – To be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia the person knowingly and intentionally possesses an item with the intent to be used for the purpose of planting, cultivating, manufacturing, producing, testing, packaging, processing, sorting, or concealing a controlled substance (See Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.002(17)).
- Theft by Check – The offense is committed when a person takes another’s property by issuing or passing a check knowingly or should have known that there weren’t any sufficient funds in the account (See Texas Penal Code § 31.06).
- Theft of Service – The penalties for the offense depends on various factors such as if the defendant has a prior theft conviction. Texas Penal Code § 31.04 states the elements necessary to commit the offense. Overall, theft of service is when a person intentionally or knowingly unlawfully appropriates another person’s services (labor, accommodations, etc.) without their consent or intention through deception, threats, or false token.
Other common examples of misdemeanor charges in Texas include:
- Assault
- Burglary of a Coin-Operated Machine
- Burglary of a Vehicle
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor (DUI)
- Evading Arrest
- Failure to Stop and Give Information
- Harassment
- Interference with an Emergency Phone Call
- Minor in Consumption of Alcohol (MIC)
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (POCS)
- Possession of a Dangerous Drug
- Possession of Marijuana
- Prostitution
- Public Intoxication (PI)
- Public Lewdness
- Resisting Arrest
- Silent or Abusive Phone Calls to a 911 Service
- Terroristic Threat
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
- Violation of a Protective Order
Classification of Misdemeanors:
Under Texas law, all misdemeanor offenses are classified as Class A, Class B, and Class C crimes. Class A crimes are the most serious type of misdemeanors and Class C crimes are the least serious types of misdemeanors.
- Class C – punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 but no jail time.
- Class B – punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.00
- Class A – punishable by up to twelve months in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.00.
Yes, You Need a Lawyer!
Studies show that individuals who receive a first conviction for any misdemeanor are significantly more likely to be convicted of subsequent offenses, in part because of increased scrutiny you may be subjected to during “routine” law enforcement encounters or traffic stops. If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area, it is vital that you have capable legal representation – the rest of your life depends on it.
At Carpenter & Associates, we will always work vigorously to protect your legal rights, advance your best interests, and to keep you out of jail. Not only will we work hard to help get a positive resolution to your case, but we will seek an expunction if eligible.
Contact one of our aggressive Dallas/Fort Worth misdemeanor attorneys today to get started. (972) 455-8700
*We provide services in Collin, Tarrant, Dallas, Lamar, Ellis, Navarro, Johnson, Denton, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwall Counties.
Recent blogs on Topic
Common Misdemeanors in DFW
- Assault Causing Bodily Injury: According to Texas Penal Code § 22.01, assault is when a person knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly, causes bodily injury to another. Also, bodily injury is defined as physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition (See Texas Penal Code § 1.07(8)).
- Criminal Mischief: The penalties for the offense depend on multiple factors such as the value of the property damages or destroyed, the circumstances surrounding the offense, and much more.
- Deadly/Disorderly Conduct: Under Texas Penal Code § 42.01, there are different conducts that can be classified as disorderly conduct.
- Driving with an Invalid or Suspended License – Driving with an invalid or suspended license is classified as a Class B misdemeanor. Texas Transportation Code § 521.457 states the elements necessary for a person to commit this offense.
- Failure to Identify to a Police Officer – Texas Penal Code § 38.02 indicates the instances when an individual commits this offense.
- Failure to Stop and Render Aid – It is unlawful to leave the scene of a crash involving another motor vehicle (See Texas Transportation Code § 550.022).
- Indecent Exposure – Under Texas Penal Code § 21.08, a person commits the offense of indecent exposure when the defendant exposes their anus or any parts of their genitals with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of another without any regards to who is present and will be offended or alarmed by this action.
- Misdemeanor DWI – To be charged with a misdemeanor DWI the defendant was operating a motor vehicle on a public road while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
- Misdemeanor of Theft/Property Crime – The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor depending on how it was stolen, and the value of the item or items stolen.
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – To be charged with possession of drug paraphernalia the person knowingly and intentionally possesses an item with the intent to be used for the purpose of planting, cultivating, manufacturing, producing, testing, packaging, processing, sorting, or concealing a controlled substance (See Texas Health and Safety Code § 481.002(17)).
- Theft by Check – The offense is committed when a person takes another’s property by issuing or passing a check knowingly or should have known that there weren’t any sufficient funds in the account (See Texas Penal Code § 31.06).
- Theft of Service – The penalties for the offense depends on various factors such as if the defendant has a prior theft conviction. Texas Penal Code § 31.04 states the elements necessary to commit the offense. Overall, theft of service is when a person intentionally or knowingly unlawfully appropriates another person’s services (labor, accommodations, etc.) without their consent or intention through deception, threats, or false token.
Other common examples of misdemeanor charges in Texas include:
- Assault
- Burglary of a Coin-Operated Machine
- Burglary of a Vehicle
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol by a Minor (DUI)
- Evading Arrest
- Failure to Stop and Give Information
- Harassment
- Interference with an Emergency Phone Call
- Minor in Consumption of Alcohol (MIC)
- Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance (POCS)
- Possession of a Dangerous Drug
- Possession of Marijuana
- Prostitution
- Public Intoxication (PI)
- Public Lewdness
- Resisting Arrest
- Silent or Abusive Phone Calls to a 911 Service
- Terroristic Threat
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon
- Violation of a Protective Order
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