Common Crimes to Be Charged with in Dallas, Texas
Dallas is among the largest cities in Texas. It also has one of the highest crime rates across the state. If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Dallas, Texas, you should consult a reliable criminal defense lawyer immediately. A lawyer can advise you on how to proceed following your arrest.
A criminal charge is not always fair. In some cases, the actual offense is minor but the charges following it are unfairly exaggerated. Among other reasons, this is why people charged with crimes have a right to a fair trial and justice. Qualified lawyers can help individuals fight criminal charges against them by shoring up a robust defense.
Here is a look at some of the common crimes that are charged in Dallas, Texas.
Drug Crimes
A large number of individuals are arrested every year in Dallas for drug-related offenses. The most common among these is possession. Drug crimes can be treated as either felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the nature of the crime.
Penalties for misdemeanor drug offenses include a fine of up to $4,000, a jail sentence of up to two years, or both. For felony offenses, the penalties are stiffer. For a third-degree felony, the penalties include a prison sentence of 2 to 10 years, up to a $10,000 fine, or both.
For a second-degree felony, the prison sentence ranges from 2 to 20 years with a fine of up to $10,000. If you are charged with a first-degree felony for a drug crime, you face 5 years to lifetime imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault crimes typically involve violence. Such violence may be perpetrated towards a family member, in which case it becomes a family violence crime, or toward some outside of the family. In 2016 alone, more than 4,500 aggravated assault crimes were charged in the city of Dallas.
Texas Statutes 22.01 and 22.02 define the aggravated assault offense:
A person can be charged with aggravated assault under these sections if he or she knowingly, willingly, or recklessly causes serious bodily harm to another person.
The charge can also be brought if a person uses, exhibits, or threatens to use a deadly weapon for bodily injury.
In most cases, aggravated assault is treated as a second-degree felony. Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, a prison sentence of 2 to 20 years, or both. The offense can be treated as a first-degree felony in some cases. The penalties then include a prison sentence of 5 years to life imprisonment.
If you face an accusation of aggravated assault or family violence, it is pertinent to move quickly and seek the help of a qualified attorney. You must start building up a robust legal defense against the charges, or you may end up facing lifelong consequences.
Theft and Burglary
Theft and burglary are other common categories of crimes charged in Dallas. Theft is defined under Texas Penal Code Chapter 31 as unlawfully appropriating property and depriving an owner of it. Theft may be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the crime.
For misdemeanor theft offenses, the penalties include a fine of up to $2,500, imprisonment of up to 1 year, or both. For felony theft crimes, you may face a fine of up to $10,000, a jail time of up to life imprisonment, or both.
Texas law separately classifies different theft crimes:
- Organized retail theft
- Theft by check
- Theft of trade secrets
- Cargo theft
- Depending on the type of theft crime you are charged with, you may also face civil penalties sought by the plaintiff.
- Robbery
Robbery, in contrast to burglary or theft, is typically a crime that involves violence. It is deemed a second-degree felony carrying a fine of up to $10,000, a prison sentence of 2 to 10 years, or both.
In some cases, a robbery charge can be elevated to an aggravated robbery charge. This is a first-degree felony offense carrying 5 to 99 years in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Get in Touch with a Criminal Defense Lawyer
The crimes listed above are among the most common offenses charged in Dallas, Texas. They also come with stiff penalties that can put you behind bars for a long time and change your life forever. This is why you must get qualified legal help if you face charges in connection with any of these offenses.
Here at Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C., we offer a robust legal representation and defense in Dallas criminal cases. We aim to help you fight off any charges by using various defenses.
Call us today at 214-665-6930 to discuss your criminal case with our lawyers. You can also use the form below to message us.
