Felony convictions in Collin County can result in serious consequences, including years-long jail sentences and thousands of dollars in court-ordered fines. Felony charges are not taken lightly in the state of Texas, and if you are accused of committing a felony, you must brace yourself for a potentially turbulent legal process.
Felonies are treated much differently than misdemeanors; the penalties and consequences of committing a felony are much more extensive than its counterpart. Furthermore, felonies can stop you from living a full life.
If convicted of a felony, you may find yourself struggling to find consistent, quality employment in any field. And in addition to this, if you’re seeking higher education and you’re in the middle of the application process, you may be seen as an undesirable applicant due to a felony conviction on your life.
Texas prosecutors will stop at nothing to make an example out of a potential felon. Therefore, if you have been charged with a felony of any kind, it is important to hire a criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible. Before you know it, you may find yourself in the middle of confusing court dates, police searches, and other legal matters that can leave you in an extremely confused and weary state of mind.
Felony Defense Lawyer in Plano, Allen, Frisco, and McKinney, TX
Felony charges and investigations are some of the most challenging legal battles known to man. If you’re an individual who is currently charged with a felony, or you suspect you may be under investigation, you need to find quality legal representation right away. Failure to do this can result in being underprepared once it is time for you to enter a court of law and defend your honor, rights, and freedom.
The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy are here to help you understand the best way to fight your felony charges and walk out of court as a free Texan. As an experienced defense lawyer in Collin County, McConathy and his team are able to assist you in building a strong case for your defense. With a reputation for helping his clients receive favorable outcomes at the conclusion of their cases, you can count on Richard C. McConathy to fight for your freedom at all times. Call (469) 304-3422 for more information on our law firm.
Examples of Collin County Felonies
While there are a plethora of different felony charges that are possible to file in the United States, the majority of them include:
The Texas Penal Code lists additional felonies, but these are some of the more common felonies that are charged in Collin County and its surrounding areas.
Types of Felonies in Collin County
In the state of Texas, a felony offense is defined as a criminal offense that is punishable by 1+ years in federal prison.
There are five felony classifications, as defined by the Texas Penal Code § 12.04. The classifications are listed below:
- Capital Felony
- Felony of the First Degree
- Felony of the Second Degree
- Felony of the Third Degree
- State Jail Felony
Collin County Penalties for Felony Offenses
State Jail Felony – According to the Texas Penal Code § 12.35, individuals convicted of state felonies are eligible to face penalties such as court/legal fines of up to $10,000. If convicted of a state jail felony, the mandatory jail time may be as little as 180 days, or as long as 2 years.
Third Degree Felony – Texas Penal Code § 12.34, individuals who are convicted of third-degree felonies face prison sentences ranging from two years to ten years. In addition to that, they may also be susceptible to court-mandated fines not to exceed a total of $10,000.
Second Degree Felony – According to the Texas Penal Code § 12.33, an individual that has been convicted of a second-degree felony is eligible for up to 20 years of prison time. In addition to this, the convicted felon may be forced to pay fines up to $10,000.
First Degree Felony – Texas Penal Code Section 13.22 states that an individual that has been convicted of a first-degree felony may face prison time ranging from 5 years to 99 years behind bars. In some cases, felons are sentenced to life in prison, and many are also forced to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
Capital Felony – According to the Texas Penal Code § 12.31, this is the most severely punished felony. If convicted of a capital felony, individuals will face life imprisonment (without the chance of parole), or, in certain states such as Texas, the death penalty.
Collin County Habitual and Repeat Felony Offenders
The Texas Penal Code has guidelines and information on how the state deals with habitual felons. According to Section 12.42, a repeat (or habitual) felony offender is anyone who is facing a felony charge after being previously convicted of a felony. In this sort of situation, the potential consequences of a conviction will be much, much more severe.
An individual charged with a state jail felony offense that has 2 or more previous felony convictions on their record will have their potential conviction upgraded to a third-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence that can be as little as 2 years, or as extensive as 20 years behind bars.
If you have been previously convicted of a felony and you’re facing a third-degree felony offense, your conviction will be upgraded to a Second Degree Felony. Repeat felony offenses are taken extremely seriously in the state of Texas, and depending on the severity of the crime committed, there is a possibility of being locked behind bars for up to 20 years in addition to paying a fine of up to $10,000.
Individuals who have been charged with a second-degree felony offense that has a previous felony offense on their record will instead be charged with a felony of a first degree, punishable by a prison sentence that ranges from 5 years to 99 years. Penalties also may include a fine of up to $10,000.
Individuals who are charged with a first-degree felony with one or more previous felony convictions on their record can face severe consequences and penalties. If you’ve been convicted of a felony in the past and you are convicted of a felony to the first degree, you will face 5-99 years (life) in prison in addition to fines not to exceed $10,000.
Find A Collin County Attorney to Fight Felony Charges | Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy
Felony charges, investigations, and convictions are absolutely life-changing. Not only will they cost you years of time, thousands of dollars, and a world of stress, but they also have the power to change your future for the worse. Felons struggle to find employment after being released from prison, and sometimes, they’re forced to live with a negative stigma for the rest of their lives.
A seasoned criminal defense attorney who fights hard for Collin County clients, Richard C. McConathy is the defense lawyer you need on your side. With years of experience representing clients in Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and the surrounding areas, McConathy and his legal team are ready to defend your name in a court of law. Call us today at (469) 304-3422 for a free, no-obligation consultation from a member of our team.