Learn: Texas Criminal Defense
Texas criminal charges are graded by the Texas Penal Code and processed under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Offense class drives punishment range and court.
Texas authorities
- Texas Penal Code Ch. 12 — Punishments
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Ch. 42A — Community Supervision
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Ch. 55 — Expunction
- Texas Government Code Ch. 411 — Nondisclosure
How Texas grades offenses
Chapter 12 sorts offenses from Class C misdemeanors through capital felonies, setting punishment ranges and determining whether a case is heard in justice, county, or district court.
Probation and deferred adjudication
Chapter 42A governs community supervision. Deferred adjudication defers a finding of guilt, but the record remains public unless sealed by an order of nondisclosure.
Clearing a Texas record
Expunction destroys records after dismissals and acquittals; nondisclosure seals eligible records from most public view.
Frequently asked questions
Is deferred adjudication a conviction in Texas?
Successfully completed deferred adjudication is not a final conviction, but the record remains public unless you obtain an order of nondisclosure.
Which court hears a Texas felony?
Felony cases are heard in district court after indictment by a grand jury.
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