Office Location
608 West 12th Street, Suite B Austin, TX 78701
legalassistant@wm-attorneys.com 512-369-3737 get directionThe Texas Penal Code sets out many different types of criminal conduct for which people can face harsh penalties. Some people might think they can handle seemingly minor criminal cases on their own, but this is never wise. If you face any type of allegations in criminal court, you want to consult with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
Crimes can be classified into several categories based on the nature and severity of the offense. Here are some of the most common types of crimes under Texas law.
Many criminal laws regulate the use of alcohol in Texas. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is the most common alcohol-related crime, but you can also face accusations of boating while intoxicated, public intoxication, possessing alcohol in a motor vehicle, underage drinking, or even intoxication assault or intoxication manslaughter in the event of a drunk driving accident-causing injuries or death.
These are offenses that involve the theft or destruction of property belonging to others. Examples include burglary, theft, robbery, arson, and vandalism.
Burglary is the unauthorized entry into a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft. Theft involves taking someone else’s property without their permission. Robbery is a more serious offense that involves using force or the threat of force to steal from someone, and it can be armed robbery if it involves a deadly weapon. Arson is the intentional setting of fire to someone else’s property. Vandalism is the act of destroying or defacing property belonging to others.
These are offenses that involve the use or threat of violence against another person. Examples include assault, battery, homicide, and domestic violence.
Assault is the act of threatening or attempting to cause harm to another person. Battery involves physical contact that results in harm to another person. Homicide is the killing of another person, which can be classified as murder, manslaughter, or justifiable homicide. Domestic violence is violence that occurs within a household or intimate relationship.
Violent crimes are often punished more seriously than other offenses, and many convictions result in prison time without the proper defense.
These are offenses related to the possession, sale, distribution, or manufacture of illegal drugs. Examples include drug possession, drug trafficking, and drug manufacturing.
Drug possession involves the illegal possession of drugs for personal use. Drug trafficking involves the sale and distribution of drugs. Drug manufacturing involves the creation of illegal drugs. Penalties can vary widely depending on the type of drug, amount of drugs, and specific conduct alleged.
These are non-violent crimes committed in a business or professional setting for financial gain. Examples include embezzlement, fraud, and insider trading.
Embezzlement involves the theft of money or property belonging to an employer. Fraud involves deception or misrepresentation for financial gain. Insider trading involves the illegal use of non-public information to make a profit in the stock market. Even though these are financial crimes, the law still punishes them harshly.
These are offenses committed using the internet or other forms of technology. Examples include hacking, identity theft, and online harassment.
Hacking involves gaining unauthorized access to computer systems or networks. Identity theft involves the use of someone else’s personal information for financial gain. Online harassment involves the use of the internet to harass or intimidate others. Cyber crimes might be charged on the federal level, as well.
These are offenses that involve sexual activity without the consent of the other party. Examples include rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Rape involves non-consensual sexual intercourse. Sexual assault involves non-consensual sexual contact. Sexual harassment involves unwanted sexual advances or behavior. Many sex offenses can lead to sex offender registry for years or the rest of your life.
These are offenses related to the operation of motor vehicles on public roads. Speeding, following too closely, failing to yield or signal, and other violations can result in fines and marks on your driving record. Reckless driving is a more serious traffic offense that involves driving in a manner that endangers others.
No matter what kind of criminal charge you face, the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC is ready to help. We defend against many types of offenses, so please contact us today to discuss your situation.
The founder of the Law Office of David D. White, PLLC: Austin Criminal Lawyer, has been defending the rights of criminal defendants in Austin, Texas since 2008. We are a client-centered law firm where we fight to preserve the presumption of innocence on behalf of our clients in every criminal case we take. We believe that everyone is entitled to a fair trial and we strive to provide our clients with the best possible defense to ensure that this is true.
[case-result-slider id="1"] Texas is home to the fastest speed limit in the United States, with stretches of State Highway 130 having a limit of 85 miles per hour. Even with liberal speed limits, many drivers c...
If you are arrested for trespassing, consult an Austin criminal defense attorney immediately. In the State of Texas, certain property owners and/or their representatives can issue what are called Criminal Trespass...
A person could be charged with aggravated assault in Texas if they commit an assault using a deadly weapon – or if they commit an assault that results in serious bodily injury to another person. Pursuant to the ...
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney, David D. White who has more than 20 years of legal experience as an Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer.
608 West 12th Street, Suite B Austin, TX 78701
legalassistant@wm-attorneys.com 512-369-3737 get direction