Felonies and Misdemeanors in Texas

February 27, 2019 10:57 AM Tyler Edmondson

Criminal offenses in Texas are divided into two categories; felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors are considered lesser crimes than felonies Dispite this, these charges should still be taken seriously. They are usually punished with fines and jail time. Misdemeanors remain on your record for life, therefore, will have serious consequences. They could affect your employment, finding a job, attending an institution or higher education, or obtaining a license. Felonies are severely more serious than misdemeanors and can mean the loss of one’s freedom; with time spent in state or federal prison.

Crime and Punishment

Misdemeanor charges in Texas are classified into three categories: Class A misdemeanors, Class B misdemeanors, and Class C misdemeanors. Felonies are classified in three degrees: First-degree felonies, Second-degree felonies, and third-degree felonies.

Some examples of misdemeanors are:

Class A Misdemeanors-Burglary of a vehicle, cruelty to animals, DWI (2nd offense), obscenity, public lewdness, resisting arrest, stealing checks.
Class B Misdemeanors-Criminal trespass, DWI, harassment, prostitution, terroristic threats.
Class C Misdemeanors-Assault by threat, disorderly conduct, issuance of bad checks, leaving a child in a vehicle, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of alcoholic beverage in motor vehicle.

Felony examples:

First-degree felonies- Aggravated assault of public servant, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault, causing serious bodily injury to a child, senior citizen, or disabled person, murder.
Second Degree felonies- Aggravated assault, arson, bribery, indecent contact with a child, intoxication manslaughter, robbery, trafficking of persons.
Third Degree Felonies- Aggravated perjury, deadly conduct with a firearm, indecent exposure to a child, possession of a firearm by a felon, stalking, tampering with evidence.

Criminal Law Attorneys in Wylie

Criminal law is a complex area and being charged with a felony or misdemeanor should not be taken lightly. It is very important to have the help of a criminal defense attorney that can handle your case and prevent a life-altering conviction if possible. You will need the help of a skilled attorney at Edmondson Law, PLLC. We represent clients throughout the Wylie area. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation by calling 972-442-8326. We are here to fight for you.

Information, Not Legal Advice. We provide the information on this website as a public service. The legal landscape is constantly changing and being modified by state law and case law. As a result, we cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and reflective of the most current jurisprudence.

We do not intend this information to be legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through our number (972) 442-8326 or contact another attorney of your choosing.

Child Custody in Texas

February 12, 2019 4:31 PM Tyler Edmondson

Child Custody in Texas

Last week we talked about the hardships of divorce, especially when children are involved. We also discussed a little bit about child custody laws. The state of Texas recognizes two main categories of child custody, legal and physical and with assigned to two sub-categories, sole and joint.

Types of Child Custody

While Texas courts have options when issuing a custody order, joint custody is what they favor. According to Divorce Source, “the courts favor granting both parents access to the child absent parental misconduct, such as neglect, domestic violence or abuse. Shared custody means both parents share in all aspects of a child’s upbringing. Both parents make medical decisions, and both parents can sign medical release forms and have access to the child’s medical records. Both parents may also be apprised of all aspects of the child’s education.” It is also in the best interest of the child if the home environment of both parents is a positive one which is described in Texas Family Code Section 154.004; you can read more at Divorce Source.

We mentioned the two main categories of child custody, legal and physical. The difference between the two is that legal custody has more to do with the rights and responsibilities of the parent as opposed to the physical aspect of where the child will reside. The parent that has legal custody makes overall welfare decisions such as medical and healthcare decisions, education, and even decisions on religious practices. When parents share joint legal custody or joint conservatorship, they share custody in all aspects of the child’s life. Joint physical custody is when the child splits their time living with both parents. When one parent makes key decisions for the child and has physical custody of the child, they have sole conservatorship. The other parent may have visitation rights, but that does not give them custodial rights.

Edmondson Law, PLLC- Family Law Attorney

These are just a few guidelines to help you better understand custody in Texas. But the best way is to seek help from a professional attorney that has experience in child custody. The team at Edmondson Law, PLLC is here to answer your questions and help guide you in this challenging time. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation by calling 972-442-8326. We are here to fight for you.

Understanding Child Custody Laws

February 5, 2019 3:33 PM Tyler Edmondson

Understanding Child Custody Laws

Divorce is never easy, but it can be even more difficult when there are children involved. So the thought of child custody can be sad to think about or daunting. One thing to remember is after your divorce; you will still be parents together. So deciding on what is best for the child will make their lives and you and your ex’s lives better. You need to remember that not every family goes through hurtful custody battles. It is possible to come out of your divorce with an agreement you both are happy with. Most states prefer divorcing parents to come to an agreement on their own. Understanding child custody law can make your situation less challenging but at the same time overwhelming. If you don’t know much about these complex laws, it could hurt you in your decision making.

What You Need to Know

First off, child custody laws and terminology vary by state. It is beneficial for you to get to know and understand the child custody laws in your state. You should also know if your state takes into account both legal and physical custody, as well as, sole and joint custody. We’ll touch more on that next week.

Legal custody of a child means the parent (with legal custody) has the right to make big decisions that will benefit the child’s wellbeing, such as, the child’s schooling, medical and healthcare decisions. Physical custody designates the child’s living arrangements and, if custody is to be shared, how much time they will spend in the physical care of each parent. In a majority of states, family courts prefer for divorcing parent to come up with an agreement on their own with the help from mediation. This decision can be beneficial for the parents and child by taking part in the decision. This can also help both parents save money by staying out of court.

Family Law Attorneys in Wylie

Working with a family law professional and discussing your situation can help them apply their knowledge and offer guidance. Finding a parenting arrangement that is in the best interest for your child will be one of the biggest decisions you will have to make. You need a team of professionals in your corner if you are having a difficult time agreeing with your ex. The team at Edmondson Law, PLLC will represent you and your needs in this grueling time. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation by calling 972-442-8326. We are here to fight for you.