Facing felony assault charges in Texas for the first time can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the criminal justice system. If convicted of felony assault, you could spend years in prison, pay steep fines, and face additional limitations to your freedom and your future. However, if law enforcement arrests you for felony assault and you have a previous felony conviction on your record, you may face harsher penalties for this subsequent offense. Here’s what you should know about how Texas courts handle repeat and habitual offenders.
Defining Repeat and Habitual Offenses in Texas
According to Title 3, Section 12.42 of the Texas Penal Code, people with previous final felony convictions could face additional penalties for subsequent offenses. For instance, someone previously finally convicted of third-degree assault could face second-degree felony sentencing for a subsequent third-degree charge. If you’re facing first-degree felony assault charges and you have a previous final felony conviction (third-degree or higher) on your record, you could face sentencing with a minimum of fifteen years in prison.
Other Sentencing Considerations for Repeat Offenders
Texas law also specifies that certain situations may warrant elevated penalties. For example, if an individual has prior felony convictions pertaining to sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, or trafficking of persons, they may face life imprisonment for a subsequent felony offense. If you are facing a felony assault charge and you have a prior felony assault conviction on your record, you should contact a skilled criminal defense attorney right away to discuss your options for keeping your future as bright as possible.
Defending Your Rights and Your Freedom
Facing criminal charges of any kind is never easy. Whether you’ve been charged with a first-time assaultive offense or you have prior felony convictions on your record, get in touch with a knowledgeable Pearland criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Refrain from making any statements to law enforcement officers until you’ve had the opportunity to speak with your attorney. Your lawyer will work closely with you to develop an effective legal strategy to defend your rights and protect your future.
Call the Law Offices of Keith G. Allen, PLLC, today at (832) 230-0075 to speak with a trusted Houston criminal defense lawyer.
