Brief Guide to Crimes & Punishments

First Degree Felonies

Examples of first degree felonies include:

  • Burglary of a home
  • Bodily injury to a child, senior citizen or disable person
  • Solicitation of capital murder
  • Aggravated assault of a public servant
  • Aggravated robbery
  • Arson
  • Murder
  • Escape from custody
  • Trafficking of persons under the age of fourteen
  • Aggravated kidnapping
  • Aggravated sexual assault
  • Attempted capital murder

A first degree felony carries the following possible penalties:

  • Five to ninety-nine years in prison
  • Life in prison
  • Possible fine (up to $10,000)
  • Possible community supervision

Second Degree Felonies

Examples of second degree felonies include:

  • Intoxication manslaughter
  • Manslaughter
  • Robbery
  • Sexual assault
  • Trafficking of persons
  • Aggravated assault
  • Bribery
  • Evading arrest (with death of another involved)
  • Bigamy
  • Arson
  • Online solicitation of a minor (under fourteen)
  • Possession of 50 to 2000 pounds of marijuana
  • Stalking (second offense)
  • Improper relationship between educator and student
  • Indecent contact with a child

A second degree felony carries the following possible penalties:

  • 2 to 10 years in prison
  • Possible fine (up to $10,000)
  • Possible community supervision

Third Degree Felonies

Examples of third degree felonies include:

  • Tampering with evidence
  • DWI (third offense)
  • Stalking
  • Aggravated perjury
  • Retaliation
  • Violation of protective order (third offense)
  • Intoxication assault
  • Possession of a firearm by a felon
  • Deadly conduct with a firearm
  • Bail jumping of a felony arrest
  • Indecent exposure to a child

A third degree felony carries the following possible penalties:

  • 2-10 years in prison
  • Possible fine (up to $10,000)
  • Possibility of community supervision

State Jail Felonies

Examples of felonies with could yield state jail sentences include:

  • Theft of item valued between $1,500 and $20,000
  • Forgery of check
  • Credit card abuse
  • Burglary of a building
  • Criminally negligent homicide
  • Cruelty to animals
  • False alarm or report
  • Interference of child custody
  • Possession of less than one gram of a controlled substance
  • Evading arrest in a vehicle
  • DWI with child passenger
  • Criminal nonsupport
  • Improper photography or visual recording
  • Fraudulent use or possession of identifying information
  • Unauthorized use of a vehicle

A state jail felony carries the following penalties:

  • 180 days to 2 years in a state jail
  • Possible fine (up to $10,000)
  • Possible community supervision
  • Possible punishment as a Class A Misdemeanor

Class A Misdemeanor

Examples of Class A Misdemeanors include:

  • Unlawfully carrying a weapon
  • Escape from misdemeanor custody
  • Interference with a 911 call
  • Perjury
  • Public lewdness
  • Violation of protective order
  • Assault with bodily injury
  • Burglary of a vehicle
  • DWI (2nd offense)
  • Obscenity
  • Promoting gambling
  • Bail jumping of a misdemeanor offense
  • Cruelty to animals
  • Possession of 2to 4 ounces of marijuana
  • Resisting arrest
  • Burglary of coin operated machine
  • Stealing a check

A Class A Misdemeanor carries the following penalties:

  • Up to 180 days in the county jail and/or fine (up to $4,000)
  • Up to two years of community supervision or three years with an extension

Class B Misdemeanor

Examples of Class B Misdemeanors include:

  • Terroristic threat
  • Prostitution
  • DWI
  • Criminal Trespass
  • Indecent exposure
  • Riot
  • Evading arrest on foot
  • Fraudulent degree
  • Indecent exposure
  • Silent Calls to 911
  • False report to police officer
  • Harassment
  • Possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana

A Class B Misdemeanor carries the following penalties:

  • Up to 180 days in the county jail and/or fine (up to $2,000)
  • Up to two years of community supervision or three years with an extension

Class C Misdemeanor

Examples of Class C Misdemeanors include:

  • Gambling
  • Leaving child in a vehicle
  • Use of laser pointers
  • Public intoxication
  • Assault by threat
  • Possession of alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle
  • Issuance of a bad check
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Minor in possession of alcohol

A Class C Misdemeanor carries the following penalties:

  • Fine not to exceed $500