In short: A first degree felony in Texas carries 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. One prior prison sentence raises the minimum to 15 years; two raise it to 25. For many first degree felonies, including murder and aggravated robbery, probation is not an option, so the fight is over guilt, the evidence, and charge reduction.
What is a First Degree Felony in Texas?
Felonies are categorized as four types in Texas. These are State Jail Felony, Third Degree Felony, Second Degree Felony, and First Degree Felony.
¿Qué es un delito grave de primer grado?
A First Degree Felony is defined in Penal Code Section 12.32 and is the most serious level of felony in Texas, excluding capital felonies. It is an offense punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
What is the Punishment for a First Degree Felony?
Under Texas Penal Code Section 12.32, a first degree felony is punishable by:
A person adjudged guilty of a felony of the first degree shall be punished by:
- Imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 5 to 99 years or life. This means that if you are sentenced to prison time, your minimum term of imprisonment will be 5 years.
- A fine of up to $10,000. This means a fine does not have to be imposed, but if one is imposed it cannot exceed $10,000. However, because you also have to pay court costs to the court, the actual amount you pay for fines and court costs could exceed $10,000. This fine limit also does not apply to things like probation fees or restitution.
- Posible combinación de pena de prisión y multa.
Enhancement to Repeat or Habitual Offender Status
A first degree felony charge can be enhanced to an even more serious punishment range if you have prior prison trips:
- Repeat Offender: If you have been to prison once before, your first degree felony punishment range increases to 15 to 99 years or life in prison. This raises the minimum sentence from 5 years to 15 years.
- Habitual Offender: If you have two prior felony convictions with prison sentences, your punishment range increases to 25 to 99 years or life in prison with a minimum of 25 years.
Opciones de libertad condicional en Texas
Jurado de libertad condicional
Usted puede ser elegible para la libertad condicional del jurado si:
- Nunca ha sido condenado por un delito grave en Texas ni en ningún otro estado
- Presenta una moción jurada antes del juicio solicitando la libertad condicional con jurado
- El jurado te declara culpable y te condena a 10 años o menos
- The offense is not listed under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054
First Degree Felonies Not Eligible for Jury Probation
Under Article 42A.054, the following first degree felonies are NOT eligible for jury probation, meaning if convicted, you will go to prison:
- Asesinato
- Secuestro agravado
- Agresión sexual con agravantes
- Robo con agravantes
- Abuso sexual continuado de un menor
- Trata de personas
- Injury to a Child, Elderly, or Disabled Person (First Degree)
- Actuación sexual de un niño
- Obligación de prostituir a un menor
This means that for many of the most commonly charged first degree felonies, probation is simply not an option. If you are convicted, you will be sentenced to prison. This makes winning at trial or negotiating a reduction to a lesser charge critically important.
Juez de Libertad Condicional
Un juez puede conceder la libertad condicional si:
- La pena impuesta no supera los 10 años
- No tiene condenas previas por delitos graves
- El delito no implicó un arma mortal o lesiones corporales graves
- The offense is not listed under Article 42A.054 (same list above)
Adjudicación aplazada
La adjudicación aplazada puede obtenerse a través de un juez (nunca de un jurado) si:
- Se declara culpable o no se opone
- El juez considera que el aplazamiento de la sentencia redunda en beneficio de la sociedad y del acusado.
- El delito no es uno de los que prohíbe la adjudicación diferida por ley
Note: Under Article 42A.102, offenses like murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, and continuous sexual abuse of a child are also ineligible for deferred adjudication.
Common First Degree Felonies in Texas
Some frequently charged first degree felonies include:
- Asesinato
- Robo con agravantes
- Agresión sexual con agravantes
- Secuestro agravado
- Manufacture or Delivery of 200-400 grams of controlled substances
- Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony Other Than Theft
- Trata de personas
- Abuso sexual continuado de un menor
- Arson Causing Bodily Injury or Death
- Injury to a Child, Elderly, or Disabled Person Causing Serious Bodily Injury
¿Por qué elegir Varghese Summersett para su defensa?
If you’re facing first degree felony charges in Tarrant, Dallas, Harris, or Fort Bend County, here’s why you should contact Varghese Summersett immediately:
- Extensive Experience: Our attorneys have handled hundreds of first degree felony cases across Texas’s major metropolitan areas, including murder, aggravated robbery, and aggravated sexual assault cases
- Strategic Defense: We understand enhancement provisions and can develop strategies to reduce charges or avoid maximum sentencing
- Trial-Ready Attorneys: First degree felonies often require aggressive litigation. Our team includes former prosecutors who know how to fight these serious charges
- Conocimientos locales: Nuestra firma ha establecido relaciones con los fiscales locales y entiende cómo los diferentes condados manejan estos casos
- Proven Track Record: We have successfully defended numerous clients against first degree felony charges, securing dismissals, acquittals, and reduced sentences
Póngase en contacto con nosotros
Time is critical in first degree felony cases. With potential sentences ranging up to life in prison, you need experienced defense attorneys working on your case immediately. Call Varghese Summersett at 817-203-2220 for a confidential consultation to discuss your case and understand your options.