There are many classifications of criminal offenses under Texas law. Two main kinds of crimes exist, misdemeanors and felonies. The less serious of the two, misdemeanors, involve fines of less than $4,000. There are some situations in which a misdemeanor could result in jail time, but for many others it is simply a monetary form of punishment and a fine-only offense. The more serious offenses, felonies, carry fines of more than $4,000 and/or jail time. The least serious crimes under Texas law are Class C misdemeanors. If you are facing charges of a Class C misdemeanor, you won’t face any jail time, but could face community service and fines up to $500.
Four Examples of Texas Class C Misdemeanors
There are several different crimes that are classified as Class C misdemeanors under Texas law. Four of the more common examples include:
- Driving without a valid license – There are three different scenarios that could result in a driving without a valid license charge – you are licensed but don’t have it in your possession, your license expired, or you failed to apply for one, or your license was revoked, cancelled, or suspended by authorities.
- Theft under $100 – This is theft of cash or property valued at less than $100.
- Public intoxication – This is being in any public place where you are intoxicated to a degree that you endanger yourself or others.
- Disorderly conduct – Sometimes referred to as disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct is for behavior that is upsetting, frightening or annoying to the public or that might endanger or disturb the community, such as indecent exposure, protesting at a funeral, or fighting in a store parking lot.
While you won’t be spending any time in jail if you are convicted of any of these crimes, a conviction can still haunt you. Being convicted of a Class C misdemeanor might not be a serious offense, but it can keep you from getting a specific job or from being admitted to specific schools or training programs. When a background check is conducted, your conviction will show up. It can cause many collateral consequences for you.
The Class C Misdemeanor Process
If you have been charged with a Class C misdemeanor, you might wonder how the legal process works. After an officer has charged you, you will go to court. Usually cases involving only a Class C misdemeanor will be heard in a Justice of the Peace court in the county where you were charged with the crime. A prosecutor will be assigned to the case to prosecute it in a court of law.
After you have been charged, you will make a first appearance as a defendant. When you go to this hearing, you will be asked if you plead guilty, no contest, or not guilty. Those defendants who plead no contest or guilty will be given the chance to talk with a prosecutor to reach an agreement. Those who are pleading not guilty can either represent themselves or enlist the help of a criminal defense attorney.
While Class C Misdemeanors are not the most serious crimes, you still may want to have the services of an experienced attorney who will be able to help you either get the charges dropped or ultimately expunged from your record entirely.
Not only can an attorney advise you about your legal rights and responsibilities, but they can ensure that you know the full range of collateral consequences before you take a plea, plead guilty, or No Contest. An attorney will also be able to ensure that the manner is resolved in a way that allows for an expunction so that the conviction no longer appears in your records.
The attorneys at Fears Nachawati are experienced in representing all manner of criminal defense cases, ranging from serious felonies to Class C misdemeanors. You can be assured that we will fight for you and your legal rights, and that no case is too big or too small for us to take on.
Don’t delay in reaching out to the experienced drug attorneys at Fears Nachawati for your free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss the specifics of your case. Please call (866) 705-7584 or visit the offices of Fears Nachawati located throughout the great state of Texas, including in Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio.