Pearland Misdemeanor Lawyer
A misdemeanor is any criminal offense that is punishable by no more than a year in jail. Any crime punishable by more than a year of incarceration is a felony. Misdemeanors may seem like “minor” offenses, but they can be anything but. Spending up to a year in a county or state jail is no laughing matter. Moreover, a misdemeanor conviction can have significant, lasting consequences in terms of job prospects, education, housing, and credit. Misdemeanors can also carry hefty fines. If you have been arrested for or charged with a misdemeanor in Pearland, you need Keith B. French Law on your side to avoid the worst consequences of a conviction.
Experienced Texas misdemeanor defense law firm Keith B. French Law is ready to come to your aid. The Firm’s Pearland misdemeanor defense lawyer has extensive experience defending clients against all manner of misdemeanor charges and has years of trial experience in both private and government practice. Whether Keith B. French Law gets your charges dropped, negotiates a favorable plea, or needs to take your case all the way through trial, attorney Keith B. French is on your team the whole way. The Firm represent clients charged with all types of misdemeanor and felony in Pearland.
Misdemeanor Classes Under Texas Law
Misdemeanors include crimes that are punishable by no more than a year in jail. Texas has three different classes of misdemeanors, depending on severity. The penalties for each class of misdemeanor are as follows:
- Class A. Punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Class A misdemeanors include offenses such as resisting arrest, carrying a gun without a permit, burglary of a vehicle, and violation of a protective order.
- Class B. Punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine. Class B misdemeanors include offenses such as criminal trespass, harassment, indecent exposure, minor drug possession, and vandalism.
- Class C. Punishable by a $500 fine but no jail time. Class C misdemeanors include offenses such as simple assault, public intoxication, driving under the influence of alcohol as a minor, and possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Misdemeanor convictions can carry secondary consequences as well, affecting immigration status, employability, and living arrangements.
Keith B. French Law Helps Defendants Charged With All Kinds of Misdemeanors
Keith B. French Law represents Pearland adults and minors charged with a wide range of misdemeanor crimes. The Firm defends Texans charged with crimes including, but not limited to:
- Petty theft
- Vandalism
- Reckless driving
- Simple assault
- Assault family violence
- Driving under the influence as a minor
- Prostitution
- And many more
Deferred Adjudication and Avoiding Jail Time
In Texas, many first-time offenders are eligible for “deferred adjudication.” Deferred adjudication is a form of probation that allows defendants to avoid jail time for a misdemeanor or felony conviction. When a defendant finishes their term of deferred adjudication probation successfully (meaning after satisfying all conditions and avoiding any further arrests), the charges will be dismissed. The arrest and charges will still remain on the defendant’s record unless further action is taken, as discussed below, but there will be no conviction and no jail time. A savvy Texas criminal defense lawyer can help you pursue deferred adjudication and other means to avoid jail time and other serious criminal consequences.
Criminal Record Expunction and Nondisclosure
Texas law allows criminal defendants to seal or remove entirely certain criminal records. Most arrests that did not result in a conviction can be eliminated from a defendant’s record. Charges that were dismissed after successful deferred adjudication may be either expunged or protected from disclosure with a nondisclosure order, depending on the nature of the crime and the circumstances of the defendant. Speak with a knowledgeable misdemeanor defense lawyer to find out if your criminal record may be sealed from potential employers, banks, landlords, and other interested parties.
Call Keith B. French Law After Your Pearland Misdemeanor Arrest
If you have been charged with a misdemeanor in Pearland, contact Keith B. French Law, PLLC. Attorney Keith B. French works to even the playing field so that everyone gets their fair chance under the law. The Firm represents defendants charged with driving offenses, simple assault, domestic violence, and other misdemeanor crimes. Call Keith B. French Law today for a free consultation and find out how the Firm can protect your freedom, your family, and your future.
