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
A felony conviction in Dallas County can permanently alter your life trajectory.
Unlike misdemeanor charges, felony offenses carry severe penalties, including prison sentences exceeding one year, substantial fines, and long-term consequences that affect employment, housing, and civil rights.
When you’re facing felony charges, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the gravity of your situation.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we’ve built our reputation as a dedicated criminal defense law firm with over 35 years of experience defending clients across Dallas County and 1,000+ cases dismissed.
Our aggressive Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer team provides the strong defense strategy you need when everything is on the line.
⚠️ Texas felony classifications carry dramatically different sentencing ranges. Even a “lower” state jail felony can still lead to incarceration, making early defense intervention essential.
Texas law divides felony offenses into five distinct categories under Texas Penal Code § 12.04, each carrying increasingly severe penalties.
Our criminal defense attorneys handle all types of felony cases, from state jail felonies to the most serious criminal offenses that can result in life imprisonment.
| Felony Classification | Prison Sentence | Maximum Fine | Key Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Jail Felony | 180 days – 2 years | $10,000 | Drug possession, theft $2,500-$30,000 |
| Third Degree | 2 – 10 years | $10,000 | Aggravated assault, burglary |
| Second Degree | 2 – 20 years | $10,000 | Robbery, sexual assault |
| First Degree | 5 – 99 years/life | $10,000 | Aggravated robbery, murder |
| Capital Felony | Life without parole/death | N/A | Capital murder |
Sentence Range: 180 days to 2 years in state jail
Maximum Fine: $10,000
State jail felonies represent a hybrid category between felony and misdemeanor charges, carrying jail time rather than prison time. Common state jail felony offenses include:
State jail felonies often qualify for probation, making experienced criminal defense representation essential for avoiding jail time entirely. Our defense attorneys have successfully gotten many felony cases reduced to misdemeanor charges or dismissed completely.
Sentence Range: 2 to 10 years in prison
Maximum Fine: $10,000
Third-degree felony charges encompass serious violent crimes and property offenses:
The penalty for a third-degree felony conviction can significantly impact your future. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers work to protect your rights and fight for the best defense possible when facing these serious charges.
Sentence Range: 2 to 20 years in prison
Maximum Fine: $10,000
Second-degree felonies include:
Sentence Range: 5 to 99 years or life imprisonment
Maximum Fine: $10,000
First-degree felonies represent the most serious non-capital offenses:
Sentence: Life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty
Capital felonies are reserved for the most heinous crimes, primarily capital murder under specific circumstances outlined in Texas Penal Code § 19.03.
Texas implements harsh penalties for habitual offenders under Texas Penal Code § 12.42.
Prior felony convictions can significantly increase your current charges, making the type of felony and your criminal history essential factors in your defense case.
A defendant’s criminal record plays a critical role in determining penalties. If you’re accused of a felony and have previous convictions, the criminal justice system treats you as a repeat offender, which can substantially increase potential jail time and fines.
✔️ Securing dismissals or charge reductions isn’t luck—it’s the result of careful analysis, expert testimony, and decades of experience in Dallas courtrooms.
Our track record demonstrates our commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes:
Results are case-specific and do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.
Our experienced felony defense attorneys handle a wide range of criminal charges across all felony classifications. Whether you’re facing a first-time felony or are a defendant with prior criminal history, we provide skilled criminal defense for all serious criminal cases.
The above list does not include every felony offense that exists under the Texas Penal Code, but instead consists of the most common felony charges prosecuted in the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex.
Certain offenses, such as domestic violence, can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies depending on the severity, prior history, and presence of injuries. Learn when domestic violence becomes a felony under Texas law.
⚠️ The social, economic, and civil rights fallout from a felony often lasts long after prison ends. Knowing this helps motivate immediate legal action.
Beyond imprisonment and fines, felony convictions create lasting barriers that can have a severe impact on your future. Knowing these consequences is essential when you’re facing a felony charge.
Texas allows voting rights restoration upon completion of sentence, including parole or probation, unlike some states with permanent disenfranchisement.
When you’re facing criminal charges, our criminal defense team begins with a comprehensive case evaluation. We understand that each felony case depends on the nature of the crime, the evidence, and your specific circumstances.
We begin every defense case with a comprehensive analysis of:
💼 Our attorneys, who know local courts, judges, and prosecutors, can identify viable defenses others might miss. That experience can shift outcomes in your favor.
When facing felony charges, you need more than just any criminal lawyer—you need our experienced felony defense attorney who specializes in serious offenses. Our law firm has over 20 years of experience handling felony criminal defense cases throughout Dallas County.
Our law firm is built on a foundation of transparency, aggressive defense, and personal client relationships. Read more about our team and approach to felony criminal defense.
Unlike large firms that treat clients as case numbers, we consider every client part of our extended family. When you hire our criminal defense law firm, you work directly with Attorney Richard McConathy, not junior associates or paralegals. We provide dedicated criminal defense representation for each defendant we represent.
As Richard McConathy states: “We’re gonna throw everything out there, every bit of our heart, soul, and effort to win that case just like we were being charged ourselves.” This commitment to aggressive defense sets our felony defense lawyers apart.
Our extensive experience in Dallas County courts provides strategic advantages through our knowledge of:
Felony charges demand immediate, experienced criminal defense representation. The decisions made in the first 48 hours after your arrest can determine the outcome of your defense case.
When you’re charged with a felony, time is critical.
Don’t go through the complex Texas criminal justice system alone.
Our aggressive criminal defense team stands ready to fight for your rights and freedom. We provide skilled criminal defense for all types of criminal charges, and we’re committed to protecting your rights throughout the legal process.
Contact the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy today at 197-230-38867 for a free consultation about your felony charges in Irving, Dallas, Carrollton, Richardson, and throughout Dallas County, Texas. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with an experienced felony criminal defense attorney.
Yes, through skilled criminal defense representation and identifying weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, our experienced criminal defense attorneys often secure charge reductions. Our case results demonstrate numerous felony-to-misdemeanor charge reductions, protecting defendants from severe penalties.
A new felony conviction while on probation can result in revocation of your existing probation, and you may face punishment for both the original offense and new criminal charges. This makes immediate legal defense representation essential when facing a felony.
Felony convictions remain on your criminal record permanently unless successfully expunged or sealed through legal proceedings. This criminal record could impact employment, housing, and other opportunities in life.
Federal criminal law prohibits firearm possession for individuals with felony convictions. Some rights may be restored through the legal process, but this requires court action and depends on the type of criminal offense.
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.
