A "Minor" Charge. A Major Impact.
Many people assume a misdemeanor is no big deal. They are wrong. A conviction can stay on your record for life, ruining job opportunities and housing applications. We fight to keep your record clean.
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The Hidden Cost of a Conviction
In the Texas legal system, “Misdemeanor” simply means you (probably) aren’t going to prison. But it is a criminal conviction.
If you plead guilty just to “get it over with,” you are accepting a permanent criminal record. This creates Collateral Consequences that can haunt you for decades:
- Employment: Being automatically filtered out of jobs.
- Housing: Apartment complexes denying your lease application.
- Gun Rights: Certain misdemeanors (like Family Violence) trigger a lifetime ban on owning firearms.
- Immigration: Some misdemeanors are considered “Crimes of Moral Turpitude” and can lead to deportation.
At Saffold Law, we look beyond the courtroom. We fight for a resolution that protects your future, not just your freedom today.
Understanding Texas Misdemeanors
Not all charges are created equal. We handle all three levels:
Class A Misdemeanor
The Stakes: Up to 1 year in jail and a $4,000 fine.
Examples: Assault causing bodily injury, Theft ($750–$2,500), Resisting Arrest, DWI (2nd offense), Burglary of a Vehicle.
Class B Misdemeanor
The Stakes: Up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
Examples: DWI (1st offense), Possession of Marijuana (under 2oz), Criminal Trespass, Theft ($100–$750), Harassment.
Class C Misdemeanor
The Stakes: Fine only (up to $500), but still creates a record.
Examples: Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, Simple Assault (no injury).
Common Charges We Defend
- Assault & Family Violence
These are the most dangerous misdemeanors. A finding of “Family Violence” has lifetime consequences (gun ban, employment barriers). We aggressively investigate false accusations and self-defense claims.
- Theft & Shoplifting
Theft is a “Crime of Moral Turpitude.” A conviction labels you as dishonest, making it nearly impossible to get jobs in retail, banking, or healthcare.
- Criminal Trespass
Often used against protesters or people in nightlife districts. We fight to show you lacked proper notice or had a right to be there.
- Evading & Resisting Arrest
Charges often added by police when a situation escalates. We use body-cam footage to prove you were complying or that the arrest itself was unlawful.
What We Fight For (Your Outcomes)
Our primary goal is always Dismissal. If the prosecutor drops the case, you are immediately eligible to have the arrest Expunged (erased) from your record.
If dismissal isn’t possible immediately, we negotiate for:
- Pre-Trial Diversion (PTD): A contract with the prosecutor. You do community service or classes, and they dismiss the case. Result: Expunction Eligible.
- Deferred Adjudication: You are on probation, but you are NOT convicted. If you finish successfully, the case is dismissed. Result: Non-Disclosure Eligible (Sealing the record).
How We Build Your Strategy
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1. The Evidence Review
We don’t take the police report at face value. We review the 911 calls, body-cam footage, and witness statements to find inconsistencies.
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2. The Negotiation
We present a “Mitigation Packet” to the prosecutor—showing them who you are (a student, a professional, a parent)—to convince them that a conviction is not in the interest of justice.
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3. The Trial
If the state refuses to be reasonable, we are ready to pick a jury. Quintin D. Saffold’s experience as a former prosecutor means we know how to dismantle the state’s case in open court.
Keep Your Future Clean.
Don’t let a momentary mistake become a lifetime sentence. Contact Saffold Law to fight your misdemeanor charge.