Criminal Defense and related services

Ellis County, Texas | Waxahachie - Red Oak - Ovilla - Midlothian - Ennis

The Law Office of Ross & Lane provides criminal defense representation throughout Ellis County, Texas.

Being charged with a crime is often a frightening and confusing time. Not only are most people concerned about their freedom, but there is often great concern on how a conviction will impact their family and future. These concerns are justified given the inequality between the average individual and the virtual unlimited resources of the State of Texas to prosecute a case.

While an arrest may feel like the lowest point in your life, it is imperative for you not to give into the despair. Criminal law is a complex area with many nuances that a skilled criminal defense attorney will be examining. For this reason, it is important that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney by your side. This is not a time to "go it alone."

Even if you feel that the facts surrounding your arrest are not favorable you still need to know where you stand. Moreover, you need someone by your side working to produce options that may keep you out of jail or prison.

If you are in need of an Ellis County criminal defense attorney we invite you to contact the Law Office of Ross & Lane to learn more about how we can help. We service all of Ellis County, including Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ovilla, Red Oak, Italy, Ennis, and Ferris.

Criminal Law Overview:

Texas law classifies crimes into two primary categories, which are felonies and misdemeanors. Misdemeanors can further be broken down into two groups with one group allowing for county jail time (Class A & B) and the other group being punished by a fine only (Class C).

Felonies:

A felony is the most consequential charge one can face in Texas. Punishment ranges are set by the degree level of the alleged offense. The following is a list of Texas felony degrees:

  • Capital: Punishment up to Death
  • First Degree: 5 to 99 years or Life
  • Second Degree: 2 to 20 years
  • Third Degree: 2 to 10 years
  • State Jail Felony: 180 days to 2 years

Of note, 1st Degree through State Jail Felonies may be fined up to $10,000.

Regardless of the degree, a felony can have a very serious impact on your life. Not only will many employers refuse to hire someone with a felony conviction on their record but other opportunities, such as housing, may be negatively impacted.

Class A & B Misdemeanors:

Texas law provides for two degrees of misdemeanors that may be punished by time in the county jail. The following is a brief explanation of Class A and B misdemeanors:

  • Class A: Up to one year in county jail, plus a fine not to exceed $4,000
  • Class B: Up to six months in county jail, plus a fine not to exceed $2,000

There are several collateral consequences of a misdemeanor conviction.

For example, a DWI conviction authorizes the Texas Department of Public Safety to charge a "surcharge" of $3,000 upon conviction. In addition, many types of convictions can spur a driver's license suspension. Misdemeanors may also create problems with employment or cause other civil disabilities.

Class C Misdemeanors:

The most common type of Class C misdemeanor most people will be charged with is some form of alleged traffic violation. However, Class C charges can include many more types of offenses, such as Minor in Possession.

An individual convicted of a Class C cannot be punished by a fine more than $500. While this offense classification does not carry any incarceration, it can have unforeseen collateral consequences. For example, a conviction for the charge of Theft Under $50 is still considered a crime of moral turpitude. Benshaw v. State, 88 S.W.2d 495 (1935). Likewise, Failure to Identify was deemed to be a crime of moral turpitude in Lape v. State, 893 S.W.2d 949, 958 (Tex.App. – Houston [14th Dist.] 1994, pet. ref’d).

Even a traffic ticket can have costly consequences beyond the cost of the initial ticket, such as surcharges mandated under the Driver Responsibility Program.

Are you in need of an Ellis County Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If so, we invite you to contact the Law Office of Ross & Lane to learn more about how we can help.
We service all of Ellis County, including Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ovilla, Red Oak, Italy, Ennis, and Ferris.