CRIMINAL CASES
1. CLASS C TRAFFIC TICKETS
No jail, up to a $500 fine. These include citations such as speeding, running a red light, and expired registration to name a few. They also include citations such as possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication and noise violations. *THE COFFEY FIRM DOES NOT HANDLE SIMPLE CLASS C CITATIONS THAT ARE HANDLED IN CITY COURTS.
2. HYBRID CLASS C CHARGES THAT INVOLVE JAIL TIME.
An example of such a charge would be reckless driving, Texas Transportation Code section 545.401. This offense can be ticketed up to $200 and or include 30 days of jail. *Upon discretion, the Coffey Firm may handle such a charge. It is more common, that the Coffey Firm may negotiate a case that may involve a reduction of such a charge from a higher charge (for example, an evading arrest charge might on rare occasion be reduced to a reckless driving in a non city court).
3. CLASS B MISDEMEANORS.
These are charges that are one step above a class C traffic ticket. These cases are filed in county criminal courts. They may involve a fine of up to $2k or a jail sentence up to six months. These cases include normal first time DWIs below a .15 alcohol level, criminal trespass, driving with a suspended license, etc. *THE COFFEY FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF CLASS B MISDEMEANORS.
4. CLASS A MISDEMEANORS.
These are charges that are the highest form of misdemeanor. They are filed in county criminal courts. The punishment is up to a fine of $4k and a jail sentence of up to one year. They include second time DWIs, assault charges (both domestic and and non-domestic), theft of over $750, etc. *THE COFFEY FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF CLASS A MISDEMEANORS.
5. STATE JAIL FELONY.
These cases are not misdemeanors. They are the lowest form of felonies. The punishment range is up to $10k and confinement in a state jail prison (different prisons) of a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 2 years. These prison sentences must be served day for day. These are considered low level felonies and include many drug possession charges of small amounts. *THE COFFEY FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF STATE JAIL FELONIES.
6. THIRD DEGREE FELONIES.
The punishment range is a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 10 years in prison (Texas Department of Corrections) and up to a $10k fine. For example, a third time DWI is a third degree felony. There are many drug and other types of charges in this category. *THE COFFEY FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF THIRD DEGREE FELONIES.
7. SECOND DEGREE FELONIES.
The punishment range is a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 20 years in prison (Texas Department of Corrections) and up to a $10k fine. For example, intoxicated manslaughter is a second degree felony. There are many drug and other types of charges in this category. *THE COFFEY FIRM HANDLES ALL TYPES OF SECOND DEGREE FELONIES.
8. FIRST DEGREE FELONIES.
The punishment range is a minimum of 5 to a maximum of 99 years in prison (Texas Department of Corrections) and up to a $10k fine. For example, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a public servant is a first degree felony. There are many other types of charges in this category. *UPON DISCRETION, THE COFFEY FIRM WILL HANDLE SUCH CRIMINAL CHARGES.
9. CAPITAL FELONY.
When the State seeks the death penalty, the punishment is life without parole or death. When the State does not seek the death penalty, the punishment is life (when the individual committed the offense younger than age 18), or life without parole (if the individual is 18 or over). *UPON DISCRETION, THE COFFEY FIRM WILL HANDLE SUCH CRIMINAL CHARGES.