Misdemeanors
Misdemeanor Charges in Houston: Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston, Harris & Montgomery Counties
Misdemeanor crimes are typically considered less serious than felony crimes and usually have less severe penalties. Nevertheless, having a misdemeanor charge on your record can have serious consequences. A conviction, or even the record of an arrest, can impact your ability to get a good job, to be admitted to certain educational facilities or be licensed in certain occupations.
In addition, many misdemeanor crimes carry extra penalties like license suspensions and hidden fees that will be owed to various state agencies if you are convicted. Houston misdemeanor attorney Greg Tsioros represents individuals charged with misdemeanor crimes and works hard to achieve a “not guilty” verdict for each and every one of his clients.
Many criminal defense attorneys treat misdemeanor offenses as minor or inconsequential cases and may therefore allocate less time and resources in the preparation of your defense. Attorney Greg Tsioros understands that this approach is unacceptable when your reputation and future financial well-being are on the line. When faced with criminal charges, you need a lawyer who is committed to treating misdemeanor charges as a very serious matter.
As an experienced misdemeanor lawyer in Houston, attorney Greg Tsioros represents clients with the following types of misdemeanor cases and more:
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Disorderly Conduct
- Shoplifting
- Harassment
- Drug Possession
- Internet Fraud
- Prostitution
- Simple Assault
- Criminal Trespass
- Domestic Violence
- Resisting Arrest
- Aggravated Assault
- Reckless Conduct
- Vandalism
Penalties of Misdemeanor Charges
In Texas, misdemeanor crimes are classified into three types – A, B, or C. The penalties vary according to the severity of the offense; Class A misdemeanors are considered more serious than Class B or Class C offenses.
- Class A. – The most serious misdemeanor classification in Texas. Convicted offenders can face up to 12 months in jail, a $4,000 maximum fine, or both (Texas Penal Code Ann. § 12.21).
- Class B – Ranks between the highest and lowest misdemeanor classifications. A class B misdemeanor is punishable by a maximum 180-day county jail term, $2,000 fine, or both (Texas Penal Code Ann. § 12.22).
- Class C – The lowest misdemeanor classification level. If found guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, the offender faces a maximum fine of $500. The court won’t sentence an offender to jail but, if convicted, the offense remains on his or her criminal record (Texas Penal Code Ann. § 12.23).
- A Texas misdemeanor that doesn’t have a designated class (A, B, or C) or a specific punishment is a Class C misdemeanor (Texas Penal Code Ann. § § 12.03, 12.23). The offender doesn’t lose any of his or her civil rights in the event of a misdemeanor conviction, such as a DWI (first or second offense), simple assault, or theft.
- Misdemeanors can be upgraded to felony charges if they are committed repeatedly.
Talk to An Experienced Misdemeanor Attorney
Houston criminal lawyer Greg Tsioros defends people charged with DWI and other misdemeanor offenses on a regular basis. He takes the same passionate approach to these cases as he does with major felony cases – working as hard as possible to achieve the best possible results for his clients.
While felony crimes often result in incarceration, misdemeanor crimes have a range of penalties including jail time, fines, probation, house arrest, and community service. Although attorney Greg Tsioros always strives to obtain a not guilty verdict at trial, if the evidence is strong, he is also an experienced negotiator and will work to achieve favorable plea agreements.
Contact the Law Office of Greg Tsioros today for a free consultation on what he can do to help your misdemeanor case.
