Sugarland Criminal Defense Attorneys 

Texas Criminal Statute of Limitations 

A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated. In Texas, misdemeanors generally have a uniform two-year time limit for prosecution. 

However, for felony offenses, the statute of limitations varies depending on the severity and nature of the crime. This variation reflects the state's approach to balancing the need for justice with practical considerations of evidence preservation and the rights of the accused.

The statute of limitations for various felony offenses in Texas, as outlined in Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 12.01, et seq., are as follows:

• Murder, manslaughter, hit and run resulting in death, and compelling prostitution of a child younger than 18 years old have no time limit for prosecution. 
• Certain sexual assaults, including sexual abuse of a child, and some human trafficking offenses have either no time limit or a ten-year limit, depending on specific circumstances. 
• Thefts involving fiduciaries or officials, forgery, injury to an elderly or disabled person, arson, and compelling prostitution carry a ten-year statute of limitations. 
• Misapplication of fiduciary property, execution of documents by deception, money laundering, certain tax crimes, fraud, identity theft, credit card or debit card abuse, exploitation of a child or elderly person, and bigamy have a seven-year limit. 
• Other theft, burglary, and robbery offenses, insurance fraud, and abandoning or endangering a child have a five-year statute of limitations. 
• All other felonies not specifically referenced in the code section have a three-year limit.

These varying time limits reflect the legislature's assessment of the seriousness of different offenses and the practical challenges of prosecution.

Consequences of Felony Convictions in Texas

In Texas, felony convictions are categorized into five distinct classes, each carrying its own set of penalties and consequences. These classifications help determine the severity of the punishment based on the nature and circumstances of the crime committed. 

Texas felonies and their corresponding penalties are as follows: 

• Capital felonies are penalized by death or life in prison without parole. Capital murder falls into this category. 
• First-degree felonies are punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison or life, along with a fine of up to $10,000. Examples of first-degree felonies include aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual assault.
• Second-degree felonies carry a penalty of 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Manslaughter and robbery are examples of crimes in this category. 
• Third-degree felonies are punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Possession of 5 to 50 pounds of marijuana and stalking are considered third-degree felonies. 
• State jail felonies, the least severe category, carry a penalty of 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Credit card abuse and theft of property valued between $2,500 and $30,000 fall into this category.