What is the jail time for a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?
Class C misdemeanors are fine-only offenses (no jail time possible). The maximum fine is $500. Examples include public intoxication, petty theft under $100, and disorderly conduct offenses.
Class A Misdemeanors, the most serious of the three classes, can result in a fine of up to $4,000 and one year in county jail if the accused is found guilty of committing the misdemeanor. For a Class B Misdemeanor, the perpetrator may have to pay a fine of up to $2,000 and may be jailed in the county jail for 180 days.
A person with a Class C misdemeanor on his or her record can expect an expungement following the resolution of the case. In other words, a crime of this type will not create a lasting or permanent criminal record for the defendant.
Non-traffic Class C misdemeanors include public intoxication, theft of something valued less than $100, possession of drug paraphernalia (but no drugs), assault without any injury (like verbal assault, unwanted touching and family violence), disorderly conduct, minor in possession of alcohol, and more.
Mandatory minimum sentences are guidelines courts must follow when handing down punishment in criminal cases. In Texas, courts must sentence criminal offenders to legally mandated sentences convicted of felony charges. The minimum amount of jail time depends on the severity of the crime and felony classification.
The least serious misdemeanors are classified as Class C or Level Three. These crimes can result in fines and jail time of up to a year, and may also offer the chance of probation. The federal criminal code and the criminal laws of every state divide crimes into two levels, felonies and misdemeanors.
In fact, most outstanding warrants are for Class C Misdemeanors, the lowest existing criminal offense. Most Class C Misdemeanors are for traffic crimes (like speeding tickets), but this category also includes disorderly conduct, public intoxication, gambling, and criminal trespassing.
Misdemeanor charges linger on a criminal record forever. They can, however, be removed through the expunction process or sealed through an order of nondisclosure. Do misdemeanors go away after 7 years? No, misdemeanor convictions stay on a criminal record forever in Texas.
They are not automatically deleted after, for example, five years if the police fail to find the subject of the warrant. Indeed, the warrant will remain outstanding until the subject dies, unless the judge otherwise recalls or quashes it for some other reason.
Part of the expungement cost is the filing fee charged by the court, typically around $300, which is required for any record expungement or expunction. The average lawyer expungement cost for record expungement in Texas is around $1,500. Some lawyers charge upwards of $3,000 to expunge criminal records.
Do misdemeanors go on your record?
Yes. A misdemeanor is defined as a minor wrongdoing or crime, but it is still a crime. As such, it is still a part of your criminal record just like a felony conviction would be.
Texas considers most traffic tickets to be Class C misdemeanors and not civil infractions. Speeding is the most common Class C misdemeanor.
In fact, most outstanding warrants are for Class C Misdemeanors, the lowest existing criminal offense. Most Class C Misdemeanors are for traffic crimes (like speeding tickets), but this category also includes disorderly conduct, public intoxication, gambling, and criminal trespassing.
A person commits a Class C misdemeanor assault if he or she "intentionally or knowingly cause physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative." Texas Penal Code Section 22.01(a)(3).
If the court gives you credit, you will be given at least $100 of credit for every 24 hours spent in jail. Some courts will give you more credit per night or waive any additional amount you owe if you've spent time in jail.
Texas considers most traffic tickets to be Class C misdemeanors and not civil infractions. Speeding is the most common Class C misdemeanor.