Criminal Law Attorney in Dallas

Felony Crimes in Texas

In Texas, the penalties for felonies range from a minimum of six months in prison to life in prison without parole or death by lethal injection. In Dallas, criminal law attorneys can help you fight a felony crime charge if you believe you are innocent and can negotiate a plea bargain to reduce potential penalties if you plead guilty.

Felony crime classifications in Texas

State criminal laws enforced in Dallas and throughout Texas recognize five classifications of felony crimes, each entailing different minimum and maximum penalties. They are as follows:

• Capital felonies include crimes such as capital murder and are punishable by life in prison or death.
• First-degree felonies include the crimes of murder, aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assault and are punishable by a prison sentence of five years to life.
• Second-degree felonies include the crimes of manslaughter, robbery and sexual assault and are punishable by two to 20 years in prison.
• Third-degree felonies include certain assaults, bigamy, and other crimes and are punishable by two to 10 years in prison.
• State jail felonies include criminally negligent homicide and other crimes and are punishable by six months to two years in prison.

What is a plea bargain?

If you have been charged with a crime or with multiple crimes, your criminal law attorney can negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecuting attorney. In exchange for pleading guilty to a specified charge, the prosecutor will reduce the charge classification, drop associated charges, or promise a reduced sentence.

What are Miranda rights?

If you are arrested in Dallas, police must read you your Miranda rights – your right to remain silent, to an attorney, and to a court-appointed attorney if you cannot afford one – before they can conduct an interrogation. While exercising your right to remain silent may seem to be the best and most straightforward way to protect yourself and preserve your innocence if you have been arrested, police officers know many legal tricks to make you talk.

In Dallas, your safest and best bet is to request to see your criminal law attorney as soon as possible—police officers are required by criminal law to stop your interrogation once you have requested the presence of an attorney.

Contact a criminal law attorney in Dallas

Criminal prosecutors in Texas often seek maximum penalties for felony cases they press before the court. They are experienced and handle hundreds, if not thousands, of criminal prosecutions during their career. Do not take a chance with your criminal defense. Retain a skilled criminal law attorney in Dallas who can help you mount a vigorous legal defense. Contact us online today or call (214) 272 0043.