A conviction for a firearm or weapon offense in Highland Park can cost you your freedom as well as your right to own or carry a gun.
For offenses such as unlawful carry, unlawful possession, transfer, or discharge, you will pay a substantial fine and potentially face jail or prison time, probation, and community service. In addition, you will have a permanent criminal record that can prevent you from finding housing or getting a job.
A weapon offense lawyer in Highland Park, TX can protect your legal rights and help you navigate this potentially devastating legal quagmire. Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253 to schedule your no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation.
Jail Time, Fines, and More for a Highland Park Weapon Offense Conviction
You may face misdemeanor or felony charges for a weapon offense in Texas. For more serious violations, you could face federal charges.
The penalties you face will depend on whether you have prior offenses or aggravating circumstances related to the current charges.
Prosecutors typically pursue class B or class A misdemeanor charges for a basic unlawful possession offense. If you have prior convictions, you could face felony charges.
The penalties associated with these charges are as follows:
Class B Misdemeanor Up to 6 months in jail
$2,000 fine
Class A Misdemeanor Up to 1 year in jail
$4,000 fine
State Jail Felony Up to 2 years in state jail
$10,000 fine
Third-degree Felony 2 to 10 years in prison
$10,000 fine
Second-degree Felony 2 to 20 years in prison
$10,000 fine
First-degree Felony 5 to 99 years (life) in prison
$10,000 fine
In addition to the fines and jail or prison time associated with your charges, you must pay various fees and court costs as well as the cost of any court-ordered education or counseling programs. The judge could also impose probation and community service.
For most clients, however, the permanent criminal record poses the biggest threat to their future. A permanent criminal record could hinder your ability to get a job, rent a house or apartment, or hold a professional license.
For felony weapon offense convictions, you will likely lose your ability to vote, sit on a jury, and purchase or possess a firearm.
A Weapon Offense Lawyer in Highland Park Can Protect Your Legal Rights
Based on the serious penalties you face for a weapon or firearm offense, having a lawyer on your side can provide a highly effective means of protecting and preserving your legal rights.
At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we understand what is at stake for you, and we are here to help.
If you enlist our help, our team will:
- Protect your legal rights
- Ensure you understand the implications of the charges you face
- Help you explore your options
- Negotiate for a reduction or dismissal of charges
- Mount the most robust case in your defense
If we can get involved with your case before the filing of weapon offense charges, we can often negotiate with the prosecutor to help you avoid charges or face a less serious offense.
Understanding Firearms and Weapons Offenses in Highland Park
Texas weapon laws provide greater flexibility than many other states. However, the Texas Penal Code (TPC) imposes some limits that residents and visitors to our state must observe.
For example, you have the right in Texas to own an allowed type of firearm; however, you must leave the weapon in either your home or car. If you keep the weapon in your vehicle, you must keep it out of sight.
Some weapons and accessories disallowed by the statutes include:
- Silencers
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Short-barrel firearms
- Machine guns
- Explosive devices
- Chemical weapons
- Knuckles
- Zip guns
- Tire deflation devices
- Switchblade knives
- Knives with blades more than 5.5 inches long
For concealed carry of handguns, you must have a license, as outlined in the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). Residents can obtain a concealed carry license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS).
If you carry a concealed handgun without a license, you risk facing weapon offense charges. Those charges increase in severity if you bring a weapon into any of the following locations:
- Bars or anywhere alcohol is sold
- Schools
- Horse race track
- Operating polling place
- Courthouse
- Correctional facilities
- Airport (secured areas only)
- Places of worship
- Prisons
- Nursing homes
- Amusement parks
It is also illegal to carry (otherwise legal) long guns, permitted handguns, banned knives, and other weapons in these locations.
Other common weapon offenses include the following:
Illegal Discharge
You could face serious penalties if you discharge a firearm illegally.
Criminal Gang Affiliation
If you are involved with a known criminal gang, you could face weapon offense charges if you have a firearm in your possession.
Felon In Possession
Prior felony convictions prohibit you from owning or possessing a firearm in most cases.
Domestic Violence Conviction
You may face class A misdemeanor weapon offense charges if you possessed a gun within five years of your “release from confinement [or community supervision] following conviction” of your domestic or family violence charges.
Subject To Restraining Or Protection Order
You may also face class A misdemeanor charges if you have a current, in-force order of protection or restraining order against you.
In The Commission Of A Crime
Having a weapon in your possession during the commission of a crime will lead to aggravated or additional charges filed by the prosecutor.
Exceptions exist to many of these restrictions. We will analyze your case to determine whether the police violated your legal rights and to identify the best possible strategies around which to build your defense.
Discuss Your Case with a Weapon Offense Lawyer in Highland Park for Free
Attorney Randall Isenberg has more than three decades of experience in the Texas criminal justice system, as a judge, felony prosecutor, and criminal defense lawyer. This background provides a unique perspective for understanding how the prosecutors will approach your case. Using this insight and our extensive network of resources, we can build the strongest possible defense on your behalf.
For a free consultation with the team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, contact our office today at 214-696-9253.
