Texas Defense Firm | May 16, 2025 | Criminal Defense \ Federal Criminal Defense
If you are like most people, you have likely heard of Texas’s “three strikes law” in reference to criminal proceedings. The law derives its name from baseball, where batters who accumulate three strikes “strike out” and their chance to bat is over. In the context of Texas criminal law, rather than referring to missed or foul balls, the word “strikes” refers to felony convictions. If you are convicted of three felonies in Texas, you can be subjected to extremely harsh legal penalties – in many cases, you will be facing a minimum prison sentence of 25 years, and up to 99 years or life.
What Crimes Count as Strikes?
To be subject to the enhanced mandatory minimum of 25 years under Texas law, you must be facing a first or second degree felony indictment and have been twice previously convicted of two non-state jail felony offenses. The second must have been committed after the first conviction became final,( i.e. not deferred, on appeal, etc.) Some of the offenses that can be a felony include the following:
- Robbery
- Homicide
- Sexual Assault
- Arson
- Kidnapping
As a result, it is crucial for anyone facing a third felony conviction to retain a skilled criminal defense lawyer that understands how the complicated Criminal History Enhancement laws work and how to represent the client effectively in a way that minimizes the likelihood that the client will be subjected to a lengthy minimum sentence.
Less Serious Offenses Can Still Result in Significant Penalties
Any type of criminal conviction is a serious matter in the state of Texas, so do not make the mistake of thinking that you do not need to aggressively defend against allegations of misdemeanor offenses or a first or second felony. While perhaps not as serious as a third felony, these matters can nonetheless result in serious consequences, including fines, probation, community service and even jail time. Fortunately, in many cases, a skilled attorney can have an impact on how your case is resolved and may be able to help you avoid a conviction.
Call a Collin County Criminal Defense Attorney Today to Schedule a Confidential Consultation
If you’ve been charged with a crime in McKinney or Dallas and need legal help, contact our skilled criminal defense attorneys at Texas Defense Firm. Schedule a confidential consultation today to discuss your case and protect your rights.
We proudly serve Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties and the surrounding areas. Visit our law offices at:
Texas Defense Firm – McKinney Office
7300 State Highway 121 Suite 400
McKinney TX 75070
(972) 369-0577
Available 24/7
Texas Defense Firm – Dallas Office
4100 Alpha Rd Suite 476
Dallas TX 75244
(469) 365-2228
Available 24/7