A felony charge in Texas is the most serious category of criminal offense. Unlike misdemeanors, which are handled in county courts and carry jail sentences measured in months, felonies are prosecuted in Tarrant County District Courts and carry sentences that range from 180 days in a state jail facility to life in prison.
The consequences of a felony conviction extend far beyond the courtroom, affecting employment, housing, financial opportunities, and personal relationships for years after the case ends.
Our Fort Worth felony lawyers at Sloane Law Firm defend clients facing felony charges across the full spectrum, from state jail felonies to first-degree felonies. Whether the allegation involves drugs, assault, theft, fraud, or another serious offense, the defense approach must account for both the immediate legal exposure and the long-term impact on your life.
A felony arrest in Tarrant County sets a complex process in motion. Contact Sloane Law Firm at (817) 810-0088 to speak with a Fort Worth felony lawyer about your charges and your options.
Your future is at stake—do not hesitate to contact the Sloane Law Firm
Why Choose Sloane Law Firm for Felony Defense in Fort Worth?
Our attorneys have handled hundreds of felony cases in Tarrant County District Courts. That volume of experience translates into familiarity with the prosecutors who handle felony dockets, the judges who preside over these courtrooms, and the procedural details that vary from one court to the next.
Our lead attorney's background as a former police lieutenant adds a layer of insight that most defense teams do not have. We understand how law enforcement builds felony cases from the investigative side, and that knowledge directly shapes how we review evidence, prepare cross-examinations, and identify procedural errors.
Every client at Sloane Law Firm works directly with their attorney. Felony cases involve high stakes and require clear, consistent communication at every stage. We offer consultations to review charges, assess evidence, and lay out a defense strategy. Call (817) 810-0088 to schedule a meeting.
What Is a Felony in Texas?
Texas divides criminal offenses into two broad categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Felonies represent the more serious tier, and the Texas Penal Code organizes them into five classifications based on severity.
Texas Felony Classifications and Sentencing Ranges
Each felony level carries its own sentencing range and fine structure. The classification assigned to a charge determines the minimum and maximum penalties a judge or jury may impose.
State jail felonies carry 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000. Common examples include certain drug possession charges, theft of property valued between $2,500 and $30,000, and some fraud offenses.
Third-degree felonies carry 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Examples include repeat family violence assault, certain drug delivery charges, and some weapons offenses.
Second-degree felonies carry 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Sexual assault, robbery, and certain aggravated offenses fall into this category.
First-degree felonies carry 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Aggravated sexual assault, aggravated robbery, and murder are first-degree felonies.
Capital felonies carry life without parole or the death penalty. Capital felony classification is primarily tied to capital murder, defined under § 19.03.
How Prior Convictions Affect Sentencing
Texas law allows prosecutors to enhance felony sentences based on prior convictions. Under Texas Penal Code § 12.42, a person with prior felony convictions may face increased minimum sentences. A state jail felony with two prior felony convictions may be punished as a second-degree felony. The enhancement rules are complex and depend on the type and timing of prior offenses.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor in Texas: Why the Distinction Matters
The line between a misdemeanor and a felony changes nearly everything about how a case is handled and what happens after it ends.
Where the Case Is Heard
Misdemeanor cases are heard in Tarrant County Criminal Courts at Law. Felony cases are heard in Tarrant County District Courts. The judges, prosecutors, and procedures differ between these two court systems. District Court prosecutors who handle felonies typically carry smaller caseloads and dedicate more resources to each case.
Prison vs. Jail
Misdemeanor convictions result in county jail time, served locally. Felony convictions result in state prison time, served in a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility that may be hundreds of miles from home. The difference in environment, conditions, and distance from family is significant.
Long-Term Consequences
A felony conviction creates barriers that follow a person for years. The collateral consequences of a felony conviction in Texas include:
- Difficulty obtaining employment, as most employers conduct background checks that reveal felony records
- Housing restrictions, since many landlords and housing programs disqualify applicants with felony convictions
- Loss of the right to possess firearms under both state and federal law
- Ineligibility for certain professional licenses, including healthcare, education, and financial services credentials
- Restrictions on travel, particularly international travel, as some countries deny entry to convicted felons
These consequences apply regardless of whether the sentence includes prison time or probation. Even a felony conviction that results in community supervision carries the same long-term record impact. Fort Worth felony lawyers evaluate these collateral effects as part of the overall defense strategy, not just the immediate sentencing exposure.
What Types of Felony Cases Does Sloane Law Firm Handle?
These classifications apply across a wide range of criminal charges. Felony charges in Tarrant County cover a broad range of alleged conduct. Our attorneys defend clients across all major felony categories.
Violent Felonies
Assault, aggravated assault, robbery, and aggravated robbery are among the most commonly prosecuted violent felonies in Fort Worth. These charges often involve disputed facts about self-defense, the severity of injuries, and whether a weapon was involved. Violent felony convictions carry some of the most severe sentencing ranges under Texas law.
Drug Felonies
Drug possession, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of controlled substances account for a large portion of the felony docket in Tarrant County. The charge level depends on the drug type, weight, and whether the offense occurred near a school or other protected location.
Property and Financial Felonies
Theft, burglary, fraud, forgery, and identity theft are all prosecuted as felonies when the dollar amount or circumstances meet certain thresholds. These cases often involve complex evidence, including financial records, digital communications, and surveillance footage.
Sex Crime Felonies
Sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child, and online solicitation are all felony offenses that carry severe penalties and mandatory sex offender registration upon conviction.
Call (817) 810-0088 to speak with a Fort Worth felony defense attorney about the specific charges in your case.
What Happens After a Felony Arrest in Fort Worth?
The felony court process in Tarrant County follows a structured path. Each phase involves decisions that affect how the case proceeds and how it may be resolved.
Arrest, Booking, and Bond
After arrest, the defendant is booked at the Tarrant County jail and appears before a magistrate for a bond hearing. Bond amounts for felony charges vary widely based on the offense, the defendant's criminal history, and perceived flight risk. Judges frequently attach conditions to felony bonds, including GPS monitoring, drug testing, travel restrictions, and no-contact orders.
Grand Jury Indictment
Texas law requires a grand jury to review the evidence and issue an indictment before a felony case proceeds to trial. The grand jury meets in closed session and hears only the prosecution's evidence. If the grand jury finds probable cause, it returns an indictment that formally states the charges.
A "no bill" means the grand jury declined to indict, and the case does not move forward. Grand jury proceedings are confidential, and the defense does not present evidence at this stage.
Pretrial Proceedings and Resolution
After indictment, the case enters the pretrial phase. This period includes discovery (where the defense reviews the prosecution's evidence), motions hearings, and plea negotiations. Many felony cases in Tarrant County resolve during this phase through negotiated pleas, charge reductions, or dismissals. Cases that do not resolve proceed to a jury trial in Tarrant County District Court.
Defense Strategies in Fort Worth Felony Cases
Every felony case presents its own set of facts and legal issues. Effective defense requires a strategy that targets the specific weaknesses in the prosecution's case.
Challenging Evidence and Procedure
The prosecution must prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Defense attorneys examine how evidence was collected, whether search warrants were properly obtained, whether chain-of-custody protocols were followed, and whether any statements were taken in violation of the defendant's constitutional rights.
Several common procedural issues that arise in Tarrant County felony cases include:
- Searches conducted without a valid warrant or a recognized exception to the warrant requirement
- Statements taken without proper Miranda warnings during custodial interrogation
- Evidence mishandled or improperly stored, which breaks the chain of custody
- Witness identification procedures that were suggestive or unreliable
- Lab testing errors in drug or forensic cases
When any of these issues exist, the defense files motions to suppress the affected evidence. If the court grants suppression, the prosecution loses access to that evidence at trial, which may weaken or collapse the case entirely.
Negotiated Resolutions
Not every felony case goes to trial. In many situations, the defense and prosecution negotiate a resolution that reduces the charges, the sentence, or both. Fort Worth felony lawyers assess the strength of the evidence and the realistic trial outcomes when they advise clients on whether a negotiated plea serves their interests.
Deferred adjudication, where available, allows a defendant to complete a probation period without a final conviction on their record. Eligibility for deferred adjudication depends on the charge type, criminal history, and the specific circumstances of the case.
Felony Cases in Fort Worth and Tarrant County
Tarrant County is one of the most populous counties in Texas, and its District Courts process a high volume of felony cases annually. The county has 17 District Courts that handle felony matters, each with its own judge, court coordinator, and assigned prosecutors.
The Fort Worth Police Department handles investigations for offenses within city limits. Cases that originate in Arlington, North Richland Hills, Euless, Bedford, Hurst, and other Tarrant County communities also flow through the same District Court system.
The statute of limitations for felony offenses in Texas varies by charge. Most felonies carry a three-year limitation period under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 12.01. Certain offenses, including sexual assault and offenses against children, carry longer periods or no limitation at all.
Sloane Law Firm's downtown Fort Worth office at 933 W Weatherford St provides convenient access to the Tarrant County courthouse for clients throughout the county.
FAQs for Fort Worth Felony Defense
Is probation available for felony charges in Texas?
Probation, called community supervision in Texas, is available for many felony offenses. The judge or jury may grant probation instead of prison for certain charges, depending on the offense level and the defendant's criminal history. Some felonies, particularly those with mandatory minimum prison sentences, do not allow probation.
What is the difference between a state jail felony and a regular felony in Texas?
State jail felonies are the lowest felony classification. They carry 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility, not a prison. State jail time is served day-for-day with no early release for good behavior. Regular felonies (third-degree through first-degree) carry prison sentences with parole eligibility after a portion of the sentence is served.
Does a felony arrest show up on a background check?
Yes. Both the arrest and any resulting charges appear on background checks, even before a conviction. If the case is dismissed or results in an acquittal, the arrest record remains visible unless it is expunged or sealed through a nondisclosure order under Texas Government Code Chapter 411.
What happens if I violate felony probation in Texas?
A probation violation may result in revocation of community supervision. If the judge revokes probation, the defendant faces the original sentencing range for the offense, meaning the full prison term that was available at the time of the plea or conviction. The judge has broad discretion in deciding whether to revoke and what sentence to impose.
One Conversation That Changes the Direction
A felony charge is a serious matter, but it is not a foregone conclusion. The evidence, the procedure, and the specific legal issues in your case all create room for defense. What matters now is how quickly and effectively that defense begins.
Sloane Law Firm defends clients who face felony charges at every level throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Our attorneys bring courtroom experience, law enforcement insight, and a hands-on approach to every case. Every defense starts with a clear understanding of the charges and an honest assessment of the path forward.
Call (817) 810-0088 to speak with a Fort Worth felony lawyer at Sloane Law Firm. Our office at 933 W Weatherford St in downtown Fort Worth is here to help you take the first step.