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 Penalties: From 180 Days to Life in Prison
⚠️ 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 |
State Jail Felony Consequences
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:
- Drug possession of controlled substances
- Theft of property valued between $2,500 and $30,000
- Unauthorized use of a vehicle
- Credit card abuse
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.
Third Degree Felony Penalties
Sentence Range: 2 to 10 years in prison
Maximum Fine: $10,000
Third-degree felony charges encompass serious violent crimes and property offenses:
- Aggravated assault
- Burglary of a habitation
- Drive-by shooting
- Indecency with a child
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.
Second Degree Felony Consequences
Sentence Range: 2 to 20 years in prison
Maximum Fine: $10,000
Second-degree felonies include:
- Robbery
- Sexual assault
- Aggravated kidnapping
- Manslaughter
First Degree Felony Penalties
Sentence Range: 5 to 99 years or life imprisonment
Maximum Fine: $10,000
First-degree felonies represent the most serious non-capital offenses:
- Aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon
- Murder
- Aggravated sexual assault
- Injury to a child resulting in serious bodily injury
Capital Felony Consequences
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.
Enhanced Penalties for Repeat Offenders
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.
Enhancement Examples:
- State Jail Felony → Third Degree: If you have two prior state jail felony convictions
- Third Degree → Second Degree: With any prior felony conviction
- Second Degree → First Degree: With any prior felony conviction
- First Degree Enhanced: 15-99 years or life with prior felony conviction
Real Case Results: Protecting Our Clients' Futures
✔️ 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:
- Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, Dismissed, Dallas County (F1300346)
- Aggravated Robbery (3 Counts), Dismissed, Erath County (CR13984, CR13983, CR13982)
- Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony), Dismissed, Dallas County (F-1425069)
- Criminal Mischief (Felony), Dismissed, Dallas County (F16-14883)
- Possession of Controlled Substance (Felony) reduced to Class A Misdemeanor, Dallas County (F1334337)
- Theft (Felony) reduced to Class A Misdemeanor, Dallas County (F1245325-W)
Results are case-specific and do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases.
Common Felony Charges We Defend
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.
- Drug Charges
- Third Driving While Intoxicated
- Felony DWI
- Intoxication Assault
- Intoxication Manslaughter
- Felony Marijuana Possession
- Retail Theft
- Burglary
- Aggravated Assault
- Sex Crimes
- Child Abuse
- Family Violence
- White Collar Crimes
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.
Long-Term Consequences of Felony Convictions
⚠️ 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.
- Difficulty obtaining professional licenses
- Exclusion from certain career fields
- Background check failures for many types of employment
- Loss of existing employment when convicted of a felony
- Loss of voting rights during incarceration and parole
- Firearm possession prohibition under federal and state criminal law
- Ineligibility for jury service
- Restrictions on holding public office
- Difficulty securing rental housing with a criminal record
- Exclusion from certain educational programs
- Ineligibility for federal financial aid
- Loss of professional certifications
Texas allows voting rights restoration upon completion of sentence, including parole or probation, unlike some states with permanent disenfranchisement.
Our Defense Strategy Approach
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:
- Evidence quality and admissibility
- Police procedure compliance during your arrest
- Constitutional violations that could affect your case
- Witness credibility issues
- Fourth Amendment Violations: Challenging illegal searches and seizures that violate your constitutional rights.
- Miranda Rights Violations: Ensuring statements made during custodial interrogation are properly obtained—you have the right to an attorney.
- Chain of Custody Issues: Exposing problems in evidence handling that can lead to charges being reduced or dismissed.
- Witness Credibility Challenges: Investigating witness backgrounds and motivations to testify against the defendant.
- Forensic Evidence Disputes: Challenging the reliability of scientific evidence through expert testimony in serious criminal cases.
Why Experience Matters in Felony Defense
💼 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.
- Licensed since 2002 in Texas state courts
- Federal court admission (Northern District of Texas)
- Criminal Law Section Treasurer, Dallas Bar Association (2004-2006)
- Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Member of the National College for DUI Defense
- 75+ years combined experience across our criminal defense team
- 10,000+ privately retained cases handled in our defense firm
- Serving 16+ counties in the Dallas-Fort Worth area
- Proven results in complex felony criminal defense cases
The McConathy Difference
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:
- Local prosecutor tendencies in felony criminal defense cases
- Judicial preferences for different types of felony charges
- Effective plea negotiation strategies to get charges reduced
- Trial presentation techniques for the best defense possible
Take Action to Protect Your Future
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can felony charges be reduced to misdemeanors?
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.
What happens if I'm convicted of a felony while on probation?
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.
How long do felony charges stay on my criminal record?
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.
Can I own a firearm after a felony conviction?
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.