What are the levels of criminal offenses in Texas and the punishment ranges?
There are, in effect, three criminal justice systems in the State of Texas, with three different types of courts taking jurisdiction, depending on the offense charged. • Felonies: In Texas, felonies, the most serious of higher charges, are broken down into five different categories: capital murder, first degree felony, second degree felony, third degree felony and state jail felony, sometimes called fourth degree felony. Clearly, Capital Murder is the most serious charge a Defendant can face, since it carries the potential for a sentence of death or life in prison. This charge is reserved for specific fact situations enumerated by statute, such as Murder of a child under the age of 6, Murder of more than one person, Murder during the commission of other felony offenses, etc. First degree felonies carry a sentence of 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000. First degree offenses include Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child,
