{"id":486,"date":"2021-12-20T16:14:22","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T16:14:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jdsilvalaw.com\/?p=486"},"modified":"2024-04-16T11:17:31","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T17:17:31","slug":"consequences-of-a-felony-conviction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jdsilvalaw.com\/blog\/criminal-defense\/consequences-of-a-felony-conviction\/","title":{"rendered":"Felony Conviction Consequences in Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Texas, felonies are the most severe level of a criminal offense and there are a range of Texas felony punishments. The State of Texas punishes felony crimes under the Texas Penal Code, Title 3, Chapter 12, Subchapter<\/a> with:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. incarceration in state jail (for lesser offenses) or state prison (for the majority of felonies),<\/li>\n
  2. thousands of dollars in fines,<\/li>\n
  3. probation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In this article we will go into the types, severity, and aggravating circumstances associated with each felony allegation and how it can dictate the consequences of a felony conviction. We will also cover, the long term consequences of a felony conviction<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Fines and Incarceration Following a Felony Conviction<\/h2>\n

    Capital Felony<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Punishable by up to life in prison or the death penalty. Examples include murder but due to the status of the person murdered (e.g., the victim was a peace officer) or the course and conduct of the offense (e.g., if the murderer intentionally commits murder in the course of attempting to commit a robbery otherwise known as felony murder).<\/p>\n

    First Degree Felony<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Punishable by a prison sentence of five years to life in prison<\/strong> and up to a $10,000 fine<\/strong>. Examples include murder, sexual assault against a child, and aggravated robbery.<\/p>\n

    Second Degree Felony<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Punishable by a prison sentence of two to 20 years<\/strong> and up to a $10,000 fine<\/strong>. Examples include burglary of a habitation, manslaughter, and robbery.<\/p>\n

    Third Degree Felony<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Punishable by a prison sentence of two to 10 years<\/strong> and up to a $10,000 fine<\/strong>. Examples include assault on a family member by choking, promoting prostitution (or \u201cpimping\u2019), and assault on a family member by a second-time offender.<\/p>\n

    State Jail Felony<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    This is basically a Fourth Degree Felony by a different name and is the lowest level of felony in Texas. It is punishable by a sentence of 180 days to two years in prison<\/strong> and up to a $10,000 fine<\/strong>. Examples include low-level drug offenses, theft of a firearm, and a prostitution third offender.<\/p>\n

    Probation<\/h2>\n

    Additionally, felony convictions can come with very lengthy probation periods that can extend up to a decade in length and fines of up to $10,000 per offense.<\/p>\n

    Long Term Consequences of a Texas Felony Conviction<\/h2>\n

    The most damaging results of being charged and convicted of a felony crime in Texas are often not the penal consequences (the prison sentences and fines), but the long-term effects the conviction will have on your life. Felony convictions also have serious non-penal consequences, including but not limited to:<\/p>\n