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Houston Misdemeanor Defense Attorney

Harris County Misdemeanor Lawyer

If you are charged with a misdemeanor, it is important that you have an experienced Houston misdemeanor defense lawyer to represent you. Our defense attorneys have significant trial experience defending people accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses.

The criminal defense lawyers at James Sullivan and Associates have successfully defended people in the Greater Houston area and throughout southeast Texas against misdemeanor and felony charges since 1994.

Choosing a criminal defense lawyer to defend you may be the most important decision you will make in your case. Whether you have been charged with a crime or are under investigation by law enforcement, your rights, your freedom and your future are at risk. It is critical to have the counsel of an experienced Harris county criminal defense attorney as early as possible.

Houston Misdemeanor Lawyers – Fighting To Protect Your Rights, Future and Freedom

To discuss your case with an experienced Houston criminal defense attorney, call James Sullivan and Associates for a free consultation at (281) 546-6428.

Common Misdemeanor Charges in Houston

Examples of common misdemeanor offenses in Houston can include:

Harris County Misdemeanor Attorneys James Sullivan and Associates defend people in state courts only on felony, Class A and Class B misdemeanor charges.

Differences Between Houston Felony and Misdemeanor Offenses

Misdemeanor offenses are generally viewed as less serious than felony offenses, and usually result in less serious punishment and consequences. A misdemeanor offense is generally punishable by confinement in county jail for one year or less, whereas a conviction for a felony offense is generally punishable by confinement in a state prison for more than one year.

Furthermore, fines for misdemeanor convictions are typically less than fines for felony convictions; however, habitual or repeat misdemeanor offenders can face greater punishment than first time misdemeanor offenders.

Types of Misdemeanors in Houston

Misdemeanors are defined under Texas law as any criminal offense that is less serious than a felony offense and is punishable by any term less than one year in jail. The three types of misdemeanors in Housotn vary depending on the seriousness of the offense, ranging from the most serious, Class A Misdemeanors,  down to the least serious, Class C Misdemeanors. Misdemeanors in Houston are classified as follows:

  • Class A Misdemeanor
  • Class B Misdemeanor
  • Class C Misdemeanor

Punishment for Misdemeanor Charges in Houston

In Texas, there are three levels of misdemeanors: Class A, Class B and Class C.

  • Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine.
  • Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
  • Class C misdemeanors are punishable by a maximum $500 fine.

Houston Habitual Misdemeanor Offenders

Texas law provides for additional punishment for repeat and habitual misdemeanor offenders. A repeat or habitual misdemeanor offender is anyone who has a prior misdemeanor or felony conviction. A repeat or habitual misdemeanor offense may receive any of the following punishment:

  • Anyone who is currently charged with a Class A misdemeanor offense and has a prior Class A misdemeanor or any felony conviction can receive a fine up to $4,000 and/or a jail sentence ranging from 90 days to one year.
  • Anyone who is currently charged with a Class B misdemeanor offense and has a prior Class A misdemeanor, Class B misdemeanor or any felony offense can be receive a fine up to $2,000 and/or a jail sentence ranging from 30 days to 180 days.
  • Anyone who is currently charged with a Class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct or public intoxication offense and has been convicted of any of those offenses three times within 24 months of each offense can receive a fine up to $2,000 and/or a jail sentence up to 180 days.

Misdemeanor Criminal Record

If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, you may have a hard time finding a good job. A conviction can make your life more difficult. Houston misdemeanor defense attorney James Sullivan is experienced in defending people accused of misdemeanors and felonies.

A conviction results in a criminal record, and that is why a misdemeanor charge must be taken seriously. Unless the charge is dismissed and then sealed (non-disclosed) or removed (expunged), a misdemeanor will show up on a background check. If you are convicted, it will stay on your record forever.

Being convicted or even accused of a misdemeanor can have terrible consequences. Hiring an experienced Houston misdemeanor lawyer can make the difference between being getting your case dismissed or being found not guilty.

A misdemeanor case that is dismissed, reduced to a Class C deferred adjudication or results in a not guilty verdict may be eligible for an expunction. A Class A or Class B misdemeanor case with a successful completion of a deferred adjudication may be eligible for non-disclosure (sealing) of criminal history.

Contact Experienced Houston Misdemeanor Attorneys

James Sullivan and Associates use their extensive trial experience and knowledge of the law to defend their clients. If you are facing a misdemeanor charge and need an experienced Houston criminal trial lawyer, give them a call.

James Sullivan & Associates | Houston Texas Criminal Lawyers

James Sullivan graduated from Baylor University in 1990 with a degree in Journalism, the ideal degree for investigating, discovering and telling winning stories in court. In 1993, Sullivan graduated from South Texas College of Law, which is nationally recognized as the top law school for trial advocacy.

James Sullivan later graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Wyoming. Founded in 1994, it is the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. The methods taught at TLC are not taught anywhere else. The 1,150 graduates form an extremely unique community of the most accomplished trial lawyers in the United States. Sullivan has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in criminal courts throughout Texas.

Contact James Sullivan & Associates for a free consultation at (281) 546-6428 about your misdemeanor or felony charges in Harris County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County and throughout southeast Texas.

Client Reviews on Misdemeanor Cases

James made a passionate closing argument, and the jury deliberated for just a few minutes before coming out with a decision. NOT GUILTY! James and Nancy had proved my innocence, showed the state, the judge, jury and visitors in the courtroom that I was innocent. It was over, finally! I was very proud of the decision I had made to hire James Sullivan and Nancy Botts to defend me. I would recommend 100% to anyone with an assault family violence case to hire this law firm. ~Logan Ellard (Google review posted in June 2019)

As a result, I got banned from Dynamo games the rest of the season I called Mr. Sullivan the following Monday and met with him the same day. I told him what happened. He said my being banned the rest of the season ought to be punishment enough. Today June 20, 2019, the nightmare is over. Mr. Sullivan got the assault case dismissed! I am really thankful for Mr. Sullivan and would recommend his services to anyone needing a defense attorney. ~Jesus Loza (Google review posted in June 2019)

This was a much better resolution than I could have ever hoped for especially after talking with other lawyers. Sullivan’s fees are extremely fair, especially for the knowledge, expertise, and work he puts into your case. The fact that he can convey composure and seems to genuinely care for what you are going through is a huge bonus. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Give James Sullivan a call first. ~K.M. Barkley (Google review posted in May 2019)

I made phone calls to him and other lawyers to get a feel for their services and fees involved. One lawyer was using scare tactics for me to choose him. What a horrible conversation. However, Mr. Sullivan was easy to talk to and made me feel like everything was going to be alright. Mr. Sullivan knows what he is doing and gets the job done with a great outcome. God bless and a huge thank you to attorney Sullivan for getting the case dismissed after some community service. Mr. Sullivan is a wonderful lawyer to choose. ~McDaniel KM (Google review posted in February 2019)

Mr. Sullivan showed great professionalism, positivity, dependability, passion, and most of all he showed me that I could trust him. We talked about life, goals, and achievements. He shared his experiences and wisdom with me, recommending changes to certain aspects of my life. Overall, James Sullivan not only helped me legally, but he connected with me as a human being, and for that I will be forever grateful. My [family violence] case was dismissed in exchange for community service and I left this experience as a better person. I 100% and wholeheartedly recommend Mr. James Sullivan as an attorney. ~Jesse J (Google review posted in January 2019)

Getting the [criminal mischief] charges dismissed was awesome and I am extremely grateful that James Sullivan was able to hash out a deal with the prosecution, but what I enjoyed most was his calm yet confident demeanor. He never rushed phone calls or made me feel hurried. When I was arrested and still in custody, James spoke with my nervous girlfriend. He was able to calmly explain the charges, options and likely outcome which made her feel at peace. We also had an overseas vacation planned that conflicted with my first court date. We had to leave before the court date and would not return until several days afterward. James assured us we could leave on the vacation as scheduled and he would go to court and reset my court date until after we returned. A few days later I received his text message that he did reset the court date so that we could continue to enjoy our vacation on a sunny Caribbean island. I highly recommend James Sullivan for anyone looking to get the best outcome. His rates are very reasonable and the value he provides in terms of customer service is unparalleled. ~anonymous doctor in Houston (Google review posted in September 2018)

From my experience with attorney James Sullivan over the last 15 years, I can say that he is a talented lawyer with integrity and kindness. He took time to meet with us and explain the court process to us so we knew what to expect. I thank God for attorney James Sullivan who cares for his clients and has the experience to effectively defend his clients’ rights. ~Kim Sides (Google review posted in 2018)

I truly can’t say enough about this man. From the initial meeting where I shared my story to the day we were in court, Mr. Sullivan was compassionate, steadfast, and resilient to my needs and getting the case dismissed. His interaction with the district attorney was genuine while being dedicated to the mission of having these charges dropped. In the end, Mr. Sullivan fought for me, my family , and my career with an outcome better than I had imagined. The charges were dismissed. I can now continue my life in a career I am very passionate about and it is all thanks to Mr. Sullivan. Thank you, sir. You are truly the best. ~Robert C. (Google review posted in 2018)

Atty. Sullivan was able to obtain an arrangement at the first court setting that resulted in a case dismissal at the second court setting after I showed concrete evidence that I was seeking help for my addiction. A better outcome could not be desired. I was given the chance to get my life on track. I have stayed sober ever since and am now returning to work as a professional in my field. Atty. Sullivan also charges very reasonable fees. For all that he did for me I owe thanks to Atty. Sullivan. ~Javier GA (Google review posted in 2018)

He promised me this [family violence] case would be dismissed and handled properly and indeed he stuck to his word. He’s a great attorney I surely recommend him to everyone in need, wouldnt have known what to do without him. I can finally live a normal life again , thanks Mr. Jim Sullivan. ~Jackie E (Google review posted in 2018)

I am one of the Dreamer kids who was brought here as a child and a plea to a theft charge would’ve resulted in my not ever becoming a U.S. citizen. As a result of his hard work in court date after court date, he got my cased solved and dismissed. I was so glad. I felt the weight lifted off my back. I cannot thank you enough for standing beside me, believing in me and your confidence. You are truly a great man and for that I wanted to thank you. ~Yonathan Delgado (Google review posted in 2017)

I don’t know how I would have conquered the case without his help, advice, and compassion. In the end, my criminal case was dismissed and I can get my record expunged! If you are ever accused of a crime, he will always be by your side. ~Harry Malinski (Google review posted in 2017)

When we called him, we initially wanted deferred adjudication because the prosecutors had only been offering jail time through the court appointed attorney. I was planning to attend nursing school to become a registered nurse, and I knew that those plans would be ruined with an assault case on my record. Fortunately, after months of going back and forth to court, Mr. Sullivan got my case completely dismissed!
I highly recommend him as your attorney. He worked so hard for my family, and is great at what he does. Thank you again! ~Brooke Norgan (Google review posted in 2017)

I believe the tenacity of Mr. Sullivan and his insistence on a jury trial are what finally persuaded the DA’s office to dismiss [evading] charges for my son. Not only did this happen for our son, but the 3 other young men being wrongfully accused also were dismissed. So essentially Mr. Sullivan helped them all by listening, understanding and believing my son and then not allowing us to give up proving it to be a false accusation!
I would recommend Mr. Sullivan to anyone who is looking for an honest, understanding, and tenacious attorney! ~Page Moore (Google review posted in 2017)