Misdemeanors are crimes that are generally not as serious as felonies. Although punishment is less severe for misdemeanors, a conviction will remain on your public record and can have many unwelcome consequences in your life. It may affect your ability to get a job or even to rent an apartment. A misdemeanor conviction can never be expunged (permanently erased) from your record. There are only two instances in which your record can be expunged; in the event you are found not guilty of a crime in a trial or if your case has been dismissed prior to trial.

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Misdemeanors: Misdemeanor Charges / Conviction Charge for a Class A, Class B, and Class C Misdemeanors.
Dallas Texas Criminal Defense Attorney

The State of Texas has three different degrees of misdemeanors. Class A misdemeanors can be punished by up to one year in the county jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000.00. A Class B misdemeanor conviction can be punished by up to 180 days in the county jail and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000.00. A Class C misdemeanor conviction can be punished by a fine not to exceed $500.00.

As a criminal defense trial lawyer, Roy Merrill represents people charged with misdemeanors such as DWI and theft by check of property worth $500.oo or more, but less than $1,500.00, which is a Class A misdemeanor charge. A misdemeanor conviction of theft of $20.00 or more, but less than $500.00, is a Class B. misdemeanor. A misdemeanor conviction of less than $20.00 is a Class C offense. Dallas misdemeanor defense attorney Roy Merrill is able to get most misdemeanor theft by check cases dismissed.

People who are charged with misdemeanor shoplifting theft should have a criminal defense attorney who will contact the owner of the store and give reasons why the owner should request the State to dismiss the misdemeanor charge. Often the reason the accused person has taken merchandise without paying for the property involves sudden life changing events which result in depression or a mental condition where the accused person in really crying out for help as opposed to stealing for merely economic reasons. Dallas misdemeanor defense attorney Roy Merrill looks for these types of “defenses” to present on behalf of his clients.

As a criminal defense attorney, Roy Merrill is often called upon to represent people accused of possession of marijuana, which is a Class A misdemeanor if the amount possessed is more than 2 ounces but less than 4 ounces. Possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor. A good criminal defense attorney will defend such misdemeanors by reviewing the facts to see if a defense such as illegal arrest or search is involved. There must also be sufficient evidence to prove possession beyond a reasonable doubt, which requires that the defendant have knowledge of the location of the drug and have actual care, custody and control of the contraband.

Some assaults are charged as misdemeanors. An assault with a deadly weapon or which resulted in serious bodily injury is a felony. Roy Merrill is a criminal defense attorney who will vigorously present self-defense on behalf of his clients if the facts or evidence can possibly raise such a defense. Sometimes misdemeanor family violence assaults can be dismissed if the alleged victim or complaining witness later decides that he or she does not want to see a family member prosecuted and signs an affidavit requesting that the misdemeanor charge be dismissed.

Some crimes under the Texas Penal Code may be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the alleged facts of the case. In these cases, the monetary value of the victim’s loss of property or the extent and nature of a victim’s physical injury are facts used by law enforcement to determine whether a crime is a misdemeanor or a felony. All attempts to commit a crime which is a state jail felony are considered misdemeanors.

Crimes which are defined as misdemeanors, or may be misdemeanors depending on the alleged facts, call for the knowledge and skill of an experienced Dallas misdemeanor defense attorney. The following is a complete listing of misdemeanor crimes:

Alcohol Beverage Code Violations
Boating While Intoxicated
Driving While Intoxicated
Flying While Intoxicated
Possession of Alcoholic Beverage in Motor Vehicle
Public Intoxication
Cruelty to Animals
Abuse of Official Capacity
False identification as Peace Officer; Misrepresentation of Property
Assault
Deadly Conduct
Leaving a Child in a Vehicle
Criminal Mischief - Graffiti
Reckless Damage or Destruction
Public Lewdness
Criminal Trespass
Disorderly Conduct
Disrupting Meeting or Procession
Obstructing Highway or Other Passageway
Riot
Violation of Protective Order
Acceptance of Honorarium
Breach of Computer Security
Coercion of Public Servant or Voter
Commercial Bribery
Criminal Simulation
Deceptive Business Practices
False Statement to Obtain Property or Credit
Forgery
Fraudulent Transfer of a Motor Vehicle
Improper Influence
Insurance Fraud
Issuance of Bad Check
Misapplication of Fiduciary Property or Property of Financial Institution
Money Laundering
Offering Gift to Public Servant
Publication of Telecommunications Access Device
Refusal to Execute Release of Fraudulent Lien or Claim
Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest
Securing Execution of Document by Deception
Simulating Legal Process
Stealing or Receiving Stolen Check or Similar Sight Order
Theft of Telecommunications Service
Trademark Counterfeiting
Unauthorized Use of Telecommunications Service
False Alarm
False Report Regarding Missing Child or Missing Person
False Report to Peace Officer or Law Enforcement Employee
Fraudulent Filing of Financing Statement
Hindering Proceedings by Disorderly Conduct
Improper Contact With Victim
Interference With Public Duties
Misuse of Official Information
Official Oppression
Perjury
Preventing Execution of Civil Process
Tampering With Governmental Record
Use of Accident Report Information and Other Information for Pecuniary Gain
Violations of the Civil Rights of Person in Custody
Prostitution
Obscene Display or Distribution
Sale, Distribution, or Display of Harmful Material to Minor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Marijuana, possession under 4 ounces
Possession of Certain Drugs in the amount of under 28 grams
Indecent Exposure
Public Lewdness
Harassment
Stalking
Terrorist Threat
Burglary of Coin Operated or Coin Collection Machines
Burglary of Vehicles
Criminal Nonsupport (Child Support)
Tampering With Consumer Product
Criminal Trespass
Gambling
Gambling Promotion
Keeping a Gambling Place
Possession of Gambling Device, Equipment, or Paraphernalia
Communication Gambling in Formation
Bail Jumping and Failure to Appear
Escape
Evading Arrest or Detention
Failure to Identify
False Alarm or Report
Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution
Interference With Emergency Telephone Call
Permitting or Facilitating Escape
Resisting Arrest, Search or Transportation
Silent or Abusive Calls to 9-1-1 Service
Unauthorized Absence From Community Corrections Facility
Harassment
Divulgence of Public Communications
Unlawful Interception of Communications
Tampering With Identification Numbers
Theft
Theft of Service
Barratry and Solicitation of Professional Employment
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Discharge of Firearm in Certain Municipalities
Hoax Bombs
Making a Firearm Accessible to a Chile
Prohibited Weapons
Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder
Unlawful Carrying Weapons
Unlawful Possession of Firearm
Unlawful Transfer of Certain Weapons
Unlawful Installation of Tracking Device
Enticing a Child
Harboring Runaway Child
Illegal Recruitment of an Athlete
Medicaid fraud


Throughout the entire process of your criminal defense case, Attorney Roy Merrill Jr. will stand up for you and protect your rights under Texas law. To get more information and to schedule an appointment for a free consultation with an experienced trial lawyer regarding your misdemeanor charge or charges, or any other criminal charge, please contact the law office of Roy L. Merrill Jr. today.

Roy L. Merrill practices criminal defense law in the following cities and counties: Dallas, Addison, Allen, Arlington, Carrolton, Cedar Hill, Coppell, D/FW Airport, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Forney, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Frisco, McKinney, Highland Park, Plano, Richardson, Mesquite, Irving, Lewisville, Rowlett, University Park. Counties: Dallas County, Denton County, Rockwall County.