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A Misdemeanor Charge in Texas Is Not a Small Matter

A conviction — even for what looks like a minor offense — creates a permanent criminal record that follows you into background checks, professional licensing reviews, housing applications, and immigration proceedings. Before you decide this charge does not require a defense, let me show you what is actually at stake.

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What a Misdemeanor Conviction Can Actually Cost You

Most people who contact me about a misdemeanor charge assume the worst-case scenario is a fine. The real picture is more complicated. A conviction becomes part of your permanent record the moment it is entered — and that record is visible to employers, landlords, licensing boards, and federal immigration authorities. The consequences extend well beyond the courtroom.

 

  • A Class A misdemeanor in Texas carries up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000.
  • A Class B misdemeanor carries up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
  • A Class C misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $500 with no jail time — but a conviction still appears on your criminal record.
  • Any misdemeanor conviction can affect professional licenses in fields including healthcare, education, law enforcement, and financial services.
  • For non-citizens, a misdemeanor conviction can constitute a crime involving moral turpitude under federal immigration law, with consequences ranging from visa denial to deportation proceedings.

Texas Misdemeanor Classes — What the Charges Mean

Texas law divides misdemeanors into three classes. Understanding which class applies to your charge — and what offenses fall into each — is the first step toward understanding your exposure.

 

Class A misdemeanors are the most serious. They include assault causing bodily injury, driving while intoxicated with a prior conviction, theft of property valued between $750 and $2,500, and unlawfully carrying a weapon. The maximum penalty is one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine.

 

Class B misdemeanors include first-offense DWI, possession of marijuana under two ounces, criminal trespass, and harassment. The maximum penalty is 180 days in county jail and a $2,000 fine.

 

Class C misdemeanors include traffic violations, disorderly conduct, and minor in possession of alcohol. No jail time applies, but a conviction still creates a criminal record and can carry collateral consequences depending on your circumstances.

For relatives living outside the United States


After USCIS approves the initial petition, the case transfers to the National Visa Center and then to a U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. Your relative attends an interview abroad and, if approved, enters the United States as a lawful permanent resident. I prepare families for what the consular interview involves and what documents are required.


The right path depends on your family member's specific situation, including whether they entered the U.S. lawfully, whether they have any prior immigration violations, and whether any bars to admissibility apply.

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Consular Processing

Why Early Representation Changes the Outcome

The most important decision you make in a misdemeanor case is whether to involve an attorney before you speak to law enforcement, before your arraignment, and before any plea is entered. What happens in those early stages shapes every option available to you later.

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Contesting a Misdemeanor Charge Is a Legal Right, Not a Gamble

The most important decision you make in a misdemeanor case is whether to involve an attorney before you speak to law enforcement, before your arraignment, and before any plea is entered. What happens in those early stages shapes every option available to you later.

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How the Case Is Resolved Matters as Much as the Outcome

In Texas, certain misdemeanor charges resolved through deferred adjudication may qualify for nondisclosure — a legal order that seals the record from most public searches. That outcome is only available if the case is handled in a way that preserves eligibility. Pleading guilty without legal advice often closes the door on nondisclosure before the possibility is ever considered.

 

I handle expungement and nondisclosure matters for clients whose misdemeanor cases have already concluded, and I structure active cases with that long-term goal in mind from the start.

Misdemeanor Charges and Immigration Consequences for Non-Citizens

If you are not a U.S. citizen, a misdemeanor charge is a criminal matter and an immigration matter at the same time. The two are connected in ways that most criminal defense attorneys do not fully account for — and that connection can determine whether you remain in the country.

 

Under federal immigration law, a conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude can make a non-citizen deportable, inadmissible, or ineligible for immigration benefits. Many misdemeanor offenses — including assault, theft, and certain drug charges — fall into this category. A plea that resolves the criminal case quickly may create an immigration consequence that lasts far longer.

 

I practice both criminal defense and immigration law. When a non-citizen client faces a misdemeanor charge, I evaluate the criminal exposure and the immigration exposure together — and I structure the defense strategy to account for both. That kind of integrated representation is rare in this market, and it matters when the stakes include your immigration status.

Common Questions About Misdemeanor Defense in Texas

  • Do I really need an attorney for a misdemeanor charge in Texas?

    Yes. Even a Class C misdemeanor creates a permanent criminal record if you are convicted. A Class A or Class B misdemeanor can result in jail time, significant fines, and consequences that affect your employment, housing, and immigration status for years. An attorney can identify defenses, negotiate reductions, and protect your eligibility for nondisclosure — none of which happens automatically when you represent yourself.

  • Can a misdemeanor conviction affect my immigration case?

    It can. Under federal immigration law, certain misdemeanor convictions — particularly those classified as crimes involving moral turpitude — can make a non-citizen deportable, inadmissible, or ineligible for pending immigration applications. How the criminal case is resolved matters as much as whether there is a conviction. I handle both criminal defense and immigration matters and evaluate both dimensions for every non-citizen client I represent.

  • What is the difference between a Class A and a Class B misdemeanor in Texas?

    Class A misdemeanors carry penalties of up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000. They include offenses such as assault causing bodily injury, DWI with a prior conviction, and theft between $750 and $2,500. Class B misdemeanors carry penalties of up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, and include first-offense DWI and possession of small amounts of marijuana. Both classes create a permanent criminal record upon conviction.

  • What is deferred adjudication and how does it relate to nondisclosure?

    Deferred adjudication is a form of probation in Texas where a judge defers a finding of guilt while you complete the terms of supervision. If you complete deferred adjudication successfully, there is no conviction entered. For many misdemeanor offenses, completing deferred adjudication makes you eligible to petition for nondisclosure, which seals the record from most public searches. Eligibility depends on the specific offense and how the case was handled — which is why the resolution strategy matters from the beginning.

  • Will contesting a misdemeanor charge make my situation worse?

    No. In Texas, exercising your right to a defense does not trigger mandatory sentence enhancements or increase the maximum penalty you face. Many misdemeanor cases are resolved through charge reductions, motions to suppress, or dismissals that were only available because the defendant had legal representation from the start. Knowing what a defense looks like for your specific case costs you nothing — and it may change the outcome significantly.
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Misdemeanor Defense Across Texas — Based in Corpus Christi

I represent clients facing misdemeanor charges in Corpus Christi and throughout Texas, including in Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. My practice is built on honest case evaluation — I will tell you what the charge actually means for your specific situation, what options are available, and what the likely outcomes look like before you make any decisions. If you are a non-citizen, I will evaluate your immigration exposure at the same time.

 

A misdemeanor charge is manageable. A misdemeanor conviction on a permanent record is something else entirely. The time to act is before a plea is entered.

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