Being falsely accused or charged with a crime can be incredibly frightening, and that’s especially true if you don’t understand the charges against you. If you or someone you love has been charged with a crime, keep reading to learn from a San Antonio criminal defense lawyer about the different types of criminal charges you may be facing.
Key Takeaways:
- Criminal charges in Texas range from infractions and petty crimes to misdemeanors and felony offenses.
- Infractions and petty crimes are the least severe charges a person can face, often for things like traffic violations.
- Misdemeanors, including Class A, B, and C, are more severe than petty crimes and infractions and may carry jail sentences.
- Felonies are the most severe criminal charge a person can face, with penalties ranging from years in prison to the death penalty.
Types of Criminal Offenses
From violent crimes to identity theft, there are countless types of acts that can land you in trouble with the law. Below, you can learn about some of the most common types of criminal cases and how they are categorized. Keep in mind that the type of offense you are charged with will have an impact on your potential legal consequences.
Crimes Against a Person
Crimes against a person are exactly what they sound like: acts that lead to the emotional or physical harm of another human being. Some of the most common types of crimes against persons include assault and aggravated assault, domestic violence, homicide, and sexual assault. These types of offenses often carry severe penalties if a criminal conviction is brought.
Property Crimes
Property crimes are crimes that involve interfering with the property of another person or party. While these crimes can involve damage to persons, such as thefts in which a bystander is injured, the primary result is the damage or deprivation of property. Common types of property crimes include petty theft, shoplifting, grand theft auto, and other types of theft and larceny.
Financial Crimes
Financial crimes include acts of deception or fraud for the purpose of financial gain. This type of offense is also typically referred to as a white collar crime. Some common examples include securities fraud, mortgage fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering.
Statutory Crimes
Statutory crimes are crimes that specifically involve breaking a statute. While many crimes from the other categories, such as financial and property crimes, can fall under this umbrella as well, some types of offenses can only be categorized as statutory. Some common examples include white collar crimes, traffic offenses, and drug crimes such as drug trafficking and drug possession.
Inchoate Crimes
Inchoate crimes are a type of offense that is often left out of the discussion when we talk about types of crimes. These charges involve crimes that were attempted but not completed, or acts committed to assist in the perpetration of another crime. Common examples include aiding and abetting and attempted crimes. While they might seem less serious, these charges can still bring serious consequences and may be punished as severely as the related crime.
Levels of Criminal Charges Within the Legal System
In addition to types of crimes, criminal charges can also be categorized based on severity. The severity of the charges brought against you will vary depending on things like your criminal history, aggravating factors, and the details of the case.
Infractions or Petty Crimes
An infraction or petty offense is the least serious type of criminal charge that you can face. In most cases, infractions, also called petty crimes, can’t be punished with jail time. Instead, most infractions lead to fines or community service orders.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are the next most serious criminal charge following infractions. While misdemeanors aren’t as severe as felonies, they can carry with them considerable penalties, ranging from community service or fines to house arrest or jail time with a maximum term of less than a year.
Misdemeanors include everything from public intoxication to burglary of a vehicle (theft of items from a vehicle, not grand theft auto).
Misdemeanors include everything from public intoxication to possession of a small amount of illegal drugs.
Misdemeanors are further broken down into three classes, A, B, and C, with each carrying a different maximum penalty. Class C misdemeanors are the least serious, with Class A being the most serious.
- Class C Misdemeanors — no jail time, up to $500 in fines
- Class B Misdemeanors — up to 180 days in jail, up to $2,000 in fines, or both
- Class A Misdemeanors — up to one year in jail, up to $4,000 in fines, or both
It’s important to note that criminal charges with enhancements can carry steeper penalties. For Class C misdemeanors, for example, enhancements can bump the charge up to a Class B or A misdemeanor, or even a felony in some cases.
Felonies
Finally, felonies are the most serious type of criminal charge a person might face in Texas. These crimes are so serious that, in Texas, a felony conviction may even lead to the death penalty in the most severe cases. Those who commit felony offenses can be charged with these crimes, along with anyone who aids or abets the felon, either before, during, or after the felony crime was committed.
Felonies include crimes ranging from drug distribution and grand theft auto to rape and murder. Like misdemeanors, felonies are further broken down into categories based on their severity. These classes each carry a different maximum penalty, with Class A being the most severe and Class E being the least severe.
- Class E Felonies — between one and five years in prison
- Class D Felonies — between five and ten years in prison
- Class C Felonies — between ten and twenty-five years in prison
- Class B Felonies — twenty-five years or more, less than life in prison
- Class A Felonies — life imprisonment or the death penalty
Like misdemeanors, felonies can also be increased based on enhancements. If you want to avoid or reduce the lengthy prison sentences associated with a felony charge, you should consider hiring an attorney to seek a reduced sentence. Your attorney may argue that you were the victim of mistaken identity, that you were acting in self-defense, or that the police officer violated your rights during the investigation or arrest.
John G. Perez Criminal Defense Attorney: I Fight for You
The criminal justice system is far from simple, and if you’ve been falsely accused or charged with a crime, that complex maze can stand between you and your freedom. A criminal defense lawyer has the knowledge you need to fight for your rights and navigate the legal process.
If you’ve been charged with a crime in Texas, reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney in San Antonio here at the Law Office of John G. Perez Jr. From drug convictions to first-degree murder, we can help with your criminal case.