Being charged with a misdemeanor charge in Denton is typically a minor offense that doesn’t require much action, but they still carry repercussions if not properly handled. While your speeding ticket or criminal mischief case may seem like a small hiccup in your daily life, you need to be aware of the potential problems that can come along with not taking care of required court appearances, fines, and community service assignments.
It’s imperative to make sure you have all the facts before you start fighting your misdemeanor charge, and it’s also important to keep track of fines, court dates, hearings, and other aspects of your case. Because of this, it’s important to make sure you hire a misdemeanor lawyer in Denton County.
Misdemeanor Defense Lawyer in Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, Flower Mound, TX
Misdemeanors are still legal infractions that can cause real stains on your record. As a productive member of society, your reputation is something you work hard to build and uphold, but a conviction can turn this around when you least expect it.
At The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we know that misdemeanor cases can sometimes require legal consultation. By hiring experienced criminal defense attorney Richard McConathy, you will have access to his expert litigation team and their wealth of legal knowledge. If you’re worried about your misdemeanor case and you don’t know where to go, call (940) 222-8004 for a free consultation.
Common Misdemeanor Offenses in Denton
Examples of common misdemeanors include:
- Criminal Mischief
- Misdemeanor Assault
- Shoplifting
- Driving While License Suspended
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Violation of Protective Order
- Reckless Driving
Please note that this is not the entire list of possible misdemeanor offenses in Denton County. These are simply some of the most common misdemeanors in Denton and its surrounding areas.
Differences Between Denton Felony and Misdemeanor Offenses
Misdemeanors are typically not considered as serious offenses when compared to felony offenses, and as a result, they typically carry less severe penalties and punishments. Misdemeanor offenses are typically punishable by under a year of county jail, whereas felony offense convictions can be punished with over a year in prison.
Types of Misdemeanors in Denton
State law and Texas Penal Code Section 12.03 defines misdemeanor offenses as a criminal offense that is less serious than a felony offense and punishable by less than a one-year jail sentence. The various classifications of misdemeanor offenses in Denton (ranked from least severe to most) are:
- Class C Misdemeanor
- Class B Misdemeanor
- Class A Misdemeanor
Denton Misdemeanor Charges Penalties
A Class C misdemeanor carries the least serious penalties out of all misdemeanor offenses. According to the Texas Penal Code Section 12.23, individuals who are convicted of a Class C Misdemeanor face fines not to exceed $500. Tex. Penal Code § 12.22 states that class B misdemeanors are punishable by 180 days in jail and/or fines up to $2,000, whereas Penal Code § 12.21 states that Class A misdemeanors are punishable by a year behind bars and/or fines not to exceed $4,000.
Denton Habitual Misdemeanor Offenses
Texas law allows for harsher penalties and punishments to be dealt to repeat offenders. According to Texas Penal Code Section 12.43, Individuals who habitually commit misdemeanor offenses will end up facing greater consequences compared to first-time offenders. Individuals who are charged with a Class A misdemeanor while having a previous Class A misdemeanor and/or felony on their record may be subject to fines up to $4,000 and/or a jail sentence ranging from 90 days to one year.
Individuals who are charged with Class B misdemeanors while having previous Class A, Class B misdemeanors or felony offenses on their records may end up with a fine of up to $2,000 and a jail sentence not to exceed six months.
Resources for Misdemeanor Charges in Denton
Denton County County Clerk – This link takes you to the official Denton County website, where you will find information on county clerk office hours, online payment portals, and miscellaneous forms such as Applications for Subpoenas and Motion To Discharge Defendant From Deferred.
Denton County Misdemeanor Trial Division – This link takes you to the official Denton County website, where you can learn more about misdemeanors in Denton County, court information, and city contact information.
Denton County Community Supervision and Corrections Department – Here, you can find information in regards to the many corrections facilities in Denton County, Texas. The community supervision and corrections building in Denton is located here:
Adult Probation Community Supervision and Corrections Building
650 South Mayhill Road
Denton, TX 76208-6313
(940) 349-3300
(972) 434-8831
(940) 349-3301 (Fax)
Monday – Friday 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Find A Denton County Defense Attorney for Misdemeanor Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy are based in Texas, providing Texans with a legal team they can trust. If you’re worried about your misdemeanors and you don’t know how to handle this process, Richard McConathy can help you. Serving individuals located in Denton, Frisco, Lewisville, Flower Mound, and surrounding areas of Denton County, Texas. We’re on a mission to ensure Texans are fairly represented in court. Call (940) 222-8004 for more information on how we can help your case.