Top 5 Common Felonies in Atascosa County
Being charged with a felony is scary. There is a lot more at stake in felony prosecutions - you could go to prison for more than a year, and the social repercussions of a felony conviction can be lifelong. Having a felony on your record can exclude you from educational and career opportunities, and even make it difficult to find housing. Some felonies are fortunately relatively rare, but others are much more common than you may realize.
If you are facing one of these felony charges, rest assured that you are not alone. Seeking out a well-qualified criminal defense attorney would be a wise move. In some cases, felony charges can be reduced to misdemeanors when the case is carefully handled.
Which Felonies Are Most Commonly Prosecuted in Texas?
While a misdemeanor record can certainly cause some problems, a felony conviction will have a serious impact on your life. Some people, after being arrested, are surprised to learn that they have been charged with a felony over what they believed was a relatively non-serious offense. Common felonies Texans are charged with include:
- Drug possession - This is by far the most common reason non-violent offenders wind up in felony courts. Texas is notoriously harsh in its treatment of narcotics offenses. Even simple possession of some substances, like heroin, with no intent to distribute, can be charged as a felony in Texas.
- DWI - Repeated DWI’s starting with the third, or DWI’s with aggravating circumstances such as causing injury or carrying a minor passenger, can be charged as a felony.
- Theft - In Texas, theft over $2,500 is likely to be charged as a felony. This includes retail theft. Often, defendants underestimate the value of the property they took and are surprised to learn that they are in felony territory.
- Burglary - Burglary is a widely misunderstood offense. It does not strictly refer to home invasions and accompanying theft. Burglary simply means unlawfully entering another’s property (trespassing) with the intent to commit theft, any felony, or an assault.
- Fraud - Fraud is a relatively broad category of offenses with a common theme. Credit card fraud is particularly common these days with the rise of online shopping. Whether it is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depends on several factors, but this crime is often treated harshly.
The differences between felony and misdemeanor versions of some offenses can be quite minute. In some cases, a skilled attorney can argue that felony charges should be reduced based on the circumstances.
Call an Atascosa County Felony Defense Attorney
If you are facing felony charges, BRCK Criminal Defense Attorneys can help you put forth your best defense. Our experienced Jourdanton felony defense lawyers will fight for a fair and reasonable outcome in your case. Call 830-769-1010 for a free consultation.
Sources:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/hs/htm/hs.481.htm
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/pe/htm/pe.49.htm