Felony
Law Office of Bret W. Schmidt, PC
Experienced Felony Attorney
Dallas Felony Defense Attorney
When you stand accused of a felony, your liberty and freedom are at stake. To protect yourself, you need to retain an experienced Dallas felony defense attorney who has experience with these cases.
About Felony Criminal Cases in Dallas
A felony is defined as a crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death. A sentence upon conviction for a felony may sometimes be less than one year at the discretion of the judge and within limits set by statute. Felonies are sometimes referred to as “high crimes” as described in the U. S. Constitution.
All charges in Texas are classified according to their nature and severity. The class of the charge will determine the possible penalties for individuals who are convicted. Felonies can be broken down into five smaller classes, with State Jail felonies being the least serious and First Degree felonies being the most serious.
First Degree Felonies
Penalties for Convictions:
- Confinement for life or from five to ninety-nine years and a possible fine not to exceed $10,000
- Possibility of community supervision
Examples:
- Aggravated assault of public servant
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Aggravated robbery
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Attempted capital murder
- Arson of habitation
- Burglary of a habitation with intent to commit or commission of a felony
- Causing serious bodily injury to child, senior citizen, or disabled person
- Escape from custody (if serious bodily injury occurs)
- Murder
- Solicitation of capital murder
- Trafficking of persons under the age of fourteen
Third Degree Felonies
Penalties for Convictions:
- Two to ten years in prison and possible fine not to exceed $10,000
- Possibility of community supervision.
Examples:
- Aggravated perjury
- Bail jumping of a felony arrest
- Deadly conduct with a firearm
- Escape from felony custody
- Indecent exposure to a child
- Intoxication assault
- Possession of a firearm by a felon
- Retaliation
- Stalking
- DWI (third offense)
- Tampering with evidence
- Violation of protective order (third offense)
Second Degree Felonies
Penalties for Convictions:
- Two to twenty years in prison and possible fine not exceed $10,000
- Possibility of community supervision
Examples
- Aggravated assault
- Arson
- Bigamy
- Bribery
- Evading arrest (and death of another occurs)
- Improper relationship between educator and student
- Indecent contact with a child
- Intoxication manslaughter
- Manslaughter
- Online solicitation of a minor under fourteen
- Possession of 50 lbs. to 2000 lbs. of marijuana
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
- Stalking—second offense
- Trafficking of persons
State Jail Felonies
Penalties for Convictions:
- 180 days to two years in a state jail and possible fine not to exceed $10,000
- Possibility of community supervision
- Possibility of punishment as Class A misdemeanor
Examples
- Burglary of a building
- Coercing a minor to join a gang by threatening violence
- Credit card abuse
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Criminal nonsupport
- Cruelty to animals
- DWI with child passenger
- Evading arrest in a vehicle
- False alarm or report
- Forgery of a check
- Fraudulent use or possession of identifying information
- Fraud in attempt to obtain credit or a loan valued between $2,500 and $30,000
- Improper photography or visual recording
- Interference of child custody
- Possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance
- Theft of something valued between $2,500 and $30,000
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
Why Should I Hire a Felony Defense Attorney in Dallas?
When you have been accused of a crime, it may be tempting to accept representation from a public defender or choose the cheapest criminal defense attorney in the area. However, criminal defense, especially when it comes to felonies, is a highly focused area of law that is often fraught with hidden hazards for even the most seasoned attorney who does not practice in this area regularly.
Because the stakes in these cases are so high, you need an attorney who can thoroughly evaluate the criminal charges against you and both identify and take advantage of the flaws and weaknesses in the State’s evidence.
My Approach
I have years of experience defending clients who have been accused of all types of crimes in Dallas, and I know how to analyze the evidence carefully. Although there may be some things that are true in the allegations against you, I approach the case with the perspective that all allegations are false, and I dissect the State’s evidence from that standpoint. My method for criminal defense is: assume nothing, miss nothing. It works out well for my clients.
I can handle virtually any criminal defense case, including:
Murder
Manufacturing & Sale Of Drugs
Sexual Assault
Misdemeanors
Aggravated Assault
If you are facing criminal charges in Dallas, you need a defense attorney like me on your side. Please contact the Law Office of Bret W. Schmidt, PC today to learn more or to make an appointment with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Dallas.
Ratings & Reviews
Practice Areas
Criminal Defense
When you stand accused of a crime, your liberty and freedom are at stake. To protect yourself, you need to retain a Dallas criminal defense attorney who has experience with these cases. Bret Schmidt has that experience, and he is ready to help.
Civil Asset Forfeiture
If you had property seized by police in the United States, a criminal defense attorney with experience in Civil Asset Forfeiture can help. Dallas attorney Bret Schmidt has that experience, and he is ready to help you defend your rights.
Law Office of Bret W. Schmidt, PC
900 Jackson Street Suite 635
Dallas, TX 75202
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