Misdemeanor Crimes

Southlake Misdemeanor Defense Attorney

Texas courts are seldom lenient, even in misdemeanor cases. Prosecutors aggressively seek convictions and maximum penalties for misdemeanor defendants. A misdemeanor conviction may require jail time, a costly fine, and a criminal record that follows you for life. If you’re charged with a misdemeanor, promptly consult a Southlake misdemeanor defense attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC.

Almost a third of Americans have an arrest or conviction record. The most important step you can take after a misdemeanor arrest is retaining experienced legal counsel. The attorneys at Barrett Legal PLLC bring a serious, aggressive mindset to every case because we know what’s on the line: your family, your job, and your freedom.

Barrett Legal PLLC represents and advises misdemeanor clients in Tarrant County and throughout Texas. No single approach works for every client. We develop an aggressive, team-based defense strategy based on the details of your case. A Southlake misdemeanor defense lawyer at Barrett Legal PLLC can explain your rights, your options, and how Texas criminal law applies to your circumstances.

Don’t speak to police officers or prosecutors about your case. Speak to us first. Today and in the future, you can call Barrett Legal PLLC at 817-512-7044 to schedule a consultation with an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney.

Misdemeanor Classifications and Penalties

While it’s usually not as severe as a felony conviction, a misdemeanor conviction in Texas has considerable negative consequences. Texas law establishes three classes of misdemeanors:

  1. A Class A misdemeanor conviction may be penalized with up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $4,000, or both.
  2. A Class B misdemeanor conviction may be penalized with up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
  3. A Class C misdemeanor conviction may be penalized with a fine of up to $500 and no jail time.

If you have a previous misdemeanor or felony conviction on your criminal record, a Texas prosecutor can raise a Class B misdemeanor charge to a Class A charge. A previous conviction may also result in mandatory minimum jail time or increase a misdemeanor charge to a felony.

What Misdemeanor Cases Do We Handle?

If you’re looking at a misdemeanor prosecution in Tarrant County, you’ll need a Southlake misdemeanor defense attorney who is familiar with local court rules and procedures. Barrett Legal PLLC provides comprehensive, effective representation to clients charged with these and other misdemeanors:

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)

Operating any motorized vehicle in a public area while intoxicated is a crime in Texas. A first driving while intoxicated (DWI) offense is usually charged as a Class B misdemeanor requiring a minimum of 72 hours in jail.

If test results indicate you were driving with a blood alcohol concentration level at or above 0.15%, the offense is charged as a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction on either charge can trigger a driver’s license suspension, costly fines and fees, and substantially higher auto insurance rates.

Burglary and Theft

Theft charges depend on the value of the cash or property involved. Stealing property valued between $100 and $750 is a Class B misdemeanor. If the cash and property are valued between $750 and $2,500, the theft is charged as a Class A misdemeanor.

Drug Offenses

A drug crime conviction, even for a simple possession charge, carries serious penalties. Possessing up to two ounces of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, while possessing small amounts of a prescription medicine without a valid prescription can prompt a Class A misdemeanor charge.

A Southlake misdemeanor defense lawyer at Barrett Legal PLLC can scrutinize search warrants and traffic stops to determine if police officers violated your rights during a drug investigation.

Juvenile Offenses

Misdemeanor allegations against teenagers and young adults can have severe consequences for their future. Convictions for misdemeanors like vandalism, underage drinking, or minor theft can interfere with educational and career opportunities and hold a young person back in life.

Barrett Legal PLLC works to resolve juvenile misdemeanor cases quickly and quietly and to shield our juvenile clients from any lasting consequences of a juvenile conviction.

How Are Misdemeanors Handled?

An arrest in Tarrant County sets off a criminal justice process that unfolds in several stages:

  1. Arraignment and bail determination: A magistrate judge formally reads the criminal charges against you and sets bail conditions for your release.
  2. State evidence discovery: Barrett Legal PLLC can review the prosecution’s evidence, including breathalyzer maintenance logs, dashcam and bodycam video, and witness statements.
  3. Pre-trial motions and negotiations: We can move to suppress illegally obtained evidence while negotiating for a reduction or dismissal of the misdemeanor charge.
  4. Trial: If the prosecutor will not negotiate in good faith, a Texas criminal defense attorney can take your case to trial and fight for a not guilty verdict.

Additional Consequences of Misdemeanor Convictions

In Texas, a misdemeanor conviction becomes a permanent criminal record that can appear on background checks for the rest of your life. Other consequences of a misdemeanor conviction include:

  1. Employment disqualification: Background checks reveal arrests and convictions to prospective employers, leading to job rejections and termination from current positions.
  2. Professional license suspension: Texas state licensing boards for teachers, nurses, real estate agents, and commercial drivers can suspend or revoke a license after a misdemeanor conviction.
  3. Driver’s license revocation: A DWI or drug possession charge can trigger an automatic administrative driver’s license suspension.
  4. Housing and financial barriers: Property managers, landlords, and lenders often reject lease and loan applications from anyone with a criminal record for theft, assault, or drug crimes.
  5. Immigration risks: Certain misdemeanor convictions are considered crimes of moral turpitude, which can lead to a removal proceeding or denial of citizenship if you’re not a U.S. citizen.

Strategies for Misdemeanor Defense 

Law enforcement officers sometimes make procedural mistakes, violate search rules, and count on unreliable witnesses. At Barrett Legal PLLC, we don’t accept their claims at face value. We can launch an independent investigation to identify flaws in the state’s case and develop a strong defense on your behalf.

Challenging Police Actions

Law enforcement officers must have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or crime before pulling you over in traffic or detaining you on the street. If the police stopped you without sufficient legal justification, we can file a motion to exclude any evidence obtained during the unlawful stop.

Illegally Obtained Evidence

If law enforcement officers searched your home, vehicle, computer, or phone without a valid search warrant or your consent, your rights were violated, and your attorney can ask the judge to exclude illegally obtained evidence and statements.

Equipment Defects

Breathalyzers and blood testing equipment require strict calibration and maintenance under Texas state regulations. An attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC can cast doubt on the state’s evidence against you in a DWI case by examining maintenance and lab records to uncover procedural mistakes, blood sample contamination, and testing flaws.

Witness Contradictions

Witness statements can change over time or even contradict the physical evidence. An attorney at Barrett Legal PLLC can re-interview witnesses and cross-examine law enforcement officers to highlight contradictions that create reasonable doubt.

Let Barrett Legal PLLC Make a Difference

Facing criminal charges in this state is daunting, but you don’t have to fight the legal system alone. Barrett Legal PLLC brings considerable courtroom experience, extensive legal knowledge, and aggressive advocacy to every misdemeanor and felony defense.

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all defense strategies or passive courtroom representation. Our defense lawyers handle every misdemeanor and felony case with a determination to win. We stand by your side, and we’re not satisfied until the charge against you is reduced or dismissed, or you receive a not guilty verdict.

Protect your freedom and your future. If you’re dealing with a misdemeanor charge in Tarrant County, today or in the future, call Barrett Legal PLLC at 817-512-7044 to schedule a confidential legal consultation with an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney.