Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available | Serving All of Texas
Facing misdemeanor charges in Plano can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate this challenging situation alone. Even seemingly minor offenses can result in jail time, hefty fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you for years. At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we understand that one mistake shouldn’t define your future.
Our experienced Plano criminal defense lawyers have successfully defended over 1,000+ criminal cases throughout North Texas, with 300+ dismissed or not guilty verdicts. We know the local courts, prosecutors, and how to build effective defense strategies that protect your rights and your reputation.
Time is critical when facing misdemeanor charges. The sooner you contact our legal team, the better we can protect your interests and work toward the best possible outcome. Don’t let a misdemeanor charge derail your life – call (972) 528-0478 today for your free consultation.
Texas law categorizes misdemeanor offenses into three distinct classes, each carrying different penalties and long-term consequences. Understanding these classifications is essential for anyone facing charges in Plano’s municipal court or Collin County.
Class A misdemeanors represent the most serious misdemeanor offenses in Texas, carrying penalties of up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000. These charges can significantly impact your employment, housing opportunities, and professional licenses.
Common Class A misdemeanor charges include:
Class B misdemeanors carry penalties of up to 180 days in county jail and fines up to $2,000. While less severe than Class A charges, they still create a permanent criminal record that can affect your future opportunities.
Examples of Class B misdemeanor charges:
Class C misdemeanors are punishable by fines only (up to $500) with no jail time. However, they still create a criminal record and can impact certain professional licenses or security clearances.
Common Class C offenses include:
According to the Texas Penal Code, these classifications determine not only immediate penalties but also long-term consequences for your criminal record and future opportunities.
Our Plano defense attorneys have extensive experience defending clients against all types of misdemeanor charges in Texas. We understand that each case is unique, and we develop personalized defense strategies based on the specific circumstances of your situation.
Retail theft remains one of the most common misdemeanor charges in Plano. Many clients face these charges due to misunderstandings, financial hardship, or momentary lapses in judgment. We’ve successfully defended numerous theft cases by:
Assault charges often arise from heated arguments, family disputes, or bar fights that escalate beyond verbal confrontation. Texas defines assault broadly, including threats of violence even without physical contact. Our defense strategies include:
Marijuana possession remains illegal in Texas, despite changing laws in other states. We defend clients facing drug possession charges by examining:
These charges often result from public disturbances, loud parties, or disagreements that attract police attention. Many disorderly conduct cases can be successfully defended or reduced through proper legal representation.
Property damage charges can result from vandalism, graffiti, or accidentally damaging someone else’s property. Our criminal mischief defense strategies focus on challenging intent and negotiating restitution agreements to avoid conviction.
The immediate penalties for misdemeanor convictions represent only part of the potential consequences you face. A criminal record can impact your life for decades, affecting opportunities you may not even consider today.
| Misdemeanor Class | Maximum Jail Time | Maximum Fine | Typical Probation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A | 1 year | $4,000 | 2 years |
| Class B | 180 days | $2,000 | 2 years |
| Class C | None | $500 | N/A |
The indirect consequences often prove more damaging than immediate penalties:
Many people mistakenly believe that misdemeanor charges don’t require serious legal representation. This misconception can cost you dearly. Experienced local representation makes a crucial difference in misdemeanor cases.
Our attorneys appear regularly in Plano Municipal Court and Collin County courts. We understand:
According to Collin County records, defendants with legal representation achieve more favorable outcomes in the majority of misdemeanor cases compared to those representing themselves.
Plano Municipal Court handles Class C misdemeanors and city ordinance violations at 900 East 15th Street, Plano, TX 75074 (located just west of downtown Plano and immediately west of US-75). Free parking is available in the courthouse lot, but we recommend arriving 15 minutes early during peak hours.
For Class A and B misdemeanors, cases are heard at the Collin County Courthouse at 2100 Bloomdale Road, McKinney, TX 75071. The courthouse is approximately 20 minutes north of downtown Plano via US-75. Free parking is available in the courthouse lot, but spaces fill quickly on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Plano Municipal Court arraignments typically occur Monday through Friday with specific scheduled times.
Court hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM; and Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
The courthouse phone number is (972) 941-2199.
Important arraignment details:
For Collin County arraignments, cases are typically heard in the Justice of the Peace courts (Precincts 1-4) before being assigned to County Court at Law. Precinct 2 (serving Plano) is located within the main courthouse building. Most arraignments occur between 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM on weekdays.
Plano Police Department booking occurs at 909 14th Street, Plano, TX 75074 – located in downtown Plano near the historic courthouse square. The department operates Monday-Friday 6:00 AM – 9:30 PM, Saturday 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, and Sunday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM for non-emergency services.
Most misdemeanor bonds range from:
| Charge Type | Typical Bond Amount | Release Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Class C Misdemeanor | Citation release | Immediate |
| Class B Misdemeanor | $1,000 – $2,500 | 2-4 hours |
| Class A Misdemeanor | $2,500 – $5,000 | 4-8 hours |
Collin County Jail (located at 4300 Community Avenue, McKinney) processes more serious misdemeanor arrests. The facility is approximately 15 minutes northeast of Plano via Louisiana Street. Bond hearings typically occur within 24-48 hours of arrest.
We maintain relationships with trusted local bondsmen including:
Family notification: We can coordinate with family members at common meeting locations like Legacy West or The Shops at Willow Bend for after-hours consultations when immediate representation is needed.
Most misdemeanor cases resolve through negotiation rather than trial. Our experience allows us to:
Strategic Advantage: We’ve successfully negotiated over 300 dismissals or not guilty verdicts because we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, giving us maximum leverage in plea negotiations.
Our experience demonstrates the value of skilled representation:
Plano Municipal Court requires specific forms for common requests:
These forms are available at the Municipal Court Clerk’s office (first floor) or downloadable from the City of Plano website. Pro tip: Submit forms before 4:00 PM to ensure same-day processing.
Collin County forms differ significantly:
Our office maintains current versions of all necessary forms and can file them electronically through the Tyler Technologies case management system used by Collin County, ensuring faster processing than walk-in filings.
Even after resolving your case, we help clients clear their records through:
Every misdemeanor case requires a customized defense strategy. Our comprehensive approach examines every aspect of your case to identify the strongest possible defense.
Evidence problems form the foundation of many successful defenses. We examine:
Investigation Focus: Thorough investigation of evidence can reveal critical flaws in the prosecution’s case, such as improperly maintained surveillance footage or documentation errors that can lead to dismissal of charges.
Common violations that can result in evidence suppression include:
Our relationship with local prosecutors enables effective negotiations through:
Plano and Collin County offer several diversion programs that can result in dismissal of charges:
Plano Municipal Court Diversion Programs:
Collin County Pre-Trial Diversion:Located at 2300 Bloomdale Road, Suite 4134, McKinney (same complex as the courthouse), this program offers:
Your actions immediately after being charged significantly impact your case outcome. Following these steps protects your rights:
The Fifth Amendment protects your right against self-incrimination. Politely decline to answer questions beyond providing basic identification.
Police need a warrant or your consent to search your property. Never consent to searches of your home, vehicle, or belongings. If officers have a warrant, don’t interfere, but clearly state you don’t consent.
The sooner we begin working on your case, the better we can:
Don’t wait until your court date approaches. Many defense strategies require immediate action.
Don’t let a misdemeanor charge define your future. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy have the knowledge and dedication necessary to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
With over 35 years of combined experience defending clients throughout North Texas, we understand what it takes to win misdemeanor cases. Our approach has resulted in hundreds of dismissals and not guilty verdicts.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling (972) 528-0478 or contacting us online. We’re ready to begin building your defense immediately.
Remember: Every day you wait is another day the prosecution has to build their case. Protect your future by taking action today.
Texas misdemeanor penalties vary by class: Class A misdemeanors carry up to one year in jail and $4,000 fines; Class B misdemeanors carry up to 180 days in jail and $2,000 fines; Class C misdemeanors carry only fines up to $500. However, all misdemeanor convictions create permanent criminal records unless later expunged or sealed.
Yes, misdemeanors can be dismissed through various methods including insufficient evidence, constitutional violations, successful completion of diversion programs, or prosecutorial discretion. Our firm has achieved dismissals in hundreds of misdemeanor cases through aggressive defense strategies and effective negotiation.
While Class C misdemeanors don’t carry jail time, they still create permanent criminal records that can affect employment, licensing, and other opportunities. An experienced attorney can often negotiate dismissals or alternative resolutions that avoid conviction entirely, making legal representation valuable even for seemingly minor charges.
Misdemeanor convictions remain on your criminal record permanently unless you qualify for expungement or an order of non-disclosure. Dismissed cases may be expunged, while some convictions may be sealed through non-disclosure orders. An attorney can evaluate your eligibility for record clearing after case resolution.
Felonies are more serious crimes punishable by state prison time and larger fines, while misdemeanors are lesser offenses typically punishable by county jail time and smaller fines. Texas classifies crimes as Capital felonies, first through third-degree felonies, state jail felonies, and Class A through C misdemeanors in descending order of severity.
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
