What are Class C misdemeanors in Texas?
Emma Payne
Published Jan 13, 2026
Examples of Class C misdemeanors are traffic tickets, disorderly conduct, simple assault, andtheft of less than $50. A Class C misdemeanor can be a much more serious affair. For example, this will be the case if you were convicted of disorderly conduct or public intoxication three times in a row.
Does a Class C misdemeanor stay on your record in Texas?
Check out our other blog post to learn how long a misdemeanor and other types of crimes stay on your record. In Texas, a Class C Misdemeanor may be removed from a person's record or “expunged” 180 days after the date of the person's arrest.
What are the 3 misdemeanor classifications in Texas?
Texas Misdemeanors are grouped into three categories: Class A, Class B and class C misdemeanors. Fine max. Imprisonment max. Class A and class B misdemeanors are the most serious misdemeanor charges under Texas law.
What is the difference between a Class B and Class C misdemeanor in Texas?
1.1.
Class B Misdemeanor: Charges at the level of a Class B misdemeanor are punishable by up to 180 days in a county jail, and a fine of up to $2,000. Class C Misdemeanor: Class C misdemeanor charges are the least serious of all misdemeanor charges.
What is the lowest misdemeanor in Texas?
A Class C misdemeanor is the least serious of all crimes charged in Texas. When convicted of a Class C misdemeanor, there isn't any chance of having to serve a jail sentence. There is, however, a fine that could be as high as $500.
20 related questions foundCan I buy a gun with a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?
A Class A, Class B, or Class C misdemeanor conviction or deferred adjudication will not prohibit a person's purchase or possession of firearms, excepting findings of family violence as outlined above.
How do I get a Class C misdemeanor expunged in Texas?
In Texas, to have your Class C misdemeanor expunged, you must agree to and complete “deferred adjudication probation.”
Do misdemeanors go away in Texas?
Legally speaking, a misdemeanor is on your record for life. However, in some cases, background checks will only go back a certain number of years. For instance, in Texas, there is a “seven-year rule” in place discussed more below.
Do misdemeanors stay on your record?
A misdemeanor might be considered a minor criminal offense compared to a felony charge, but it is a criminal offense. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, the misdemeanor remains on your criminal record for the rest of your life, unless the court expunges the offense.
How much does it cost to get a Class C misdemeanor expunged in Texas?
Class C's that you have received deferred adjudications on and haven't been convicted of a felony within 5 years can qualify you to have those Class C's expunged. The cost of the Class C expunction should cost around $1,000. This price may or may not include filing fees.
How long does it take to get a Class C misdemeanor expunged in Texas?
Even if there were no charges, there is a minimum waiting period before filing an application for expunction: Class C misdemeanors: 180 days. Class A and B misdemeanors: 1 year.
Can you get probation for a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?
Because there is no jail time for a Class C misdemeanor, probation has nothing to replace in the sentencing phase. However, probation can be a part of deferred adjudication in a Class C misdemeanor case. In these cases, probation requires a defendant to complete a probation sentence.
Can you be a teacher with a misdemeanor in Texas?
So, to answer the question: Can you be a teacher in Texas with a misdemeanor? Yes, technically you can be. This being said, it's still a very high possibility that you can be let go from your position, especially if the offense occurred during your employment.
How can I get out of a misdemeanor?
While it's true that a misdemeanor conviction can stay with you forever, it is also possible for it to be erased from your record. But this does not happen automatically after you've paid your fines and served your jail sentence. You must file a petition for an expungement to get the information removed.
Does a misdemeanor show up on a background check after 7 years?
A misdemeanor stays on your record for life unless you successfully petition for expungement. There is no preset “expiration date” for misdemeanor crimes. Even though misdemeanor offenses are less serious than felonies, they are still serious breaches in the eyes of the law.
How much does it cost to seal your record in Texas?
How Much Will It Cost to Expunge My Criminal Record in Texas? As a general rule, it costs more to expunge a felony than a misdemeanor. The expungement of a felony will customarily cost a minimum of $1,000, but may cost upwards of $2,500 or even more. Misdemeanors can usually be expunged for $1,000 or less.
What are the fines and jail time in Texas for a Class C misdemeanor?
In Texas, Class C misdemeanors are the lowest level of criminal offense. They can include a fine of no more than $500 and no jail time. But you still have a right to a trial, which can be held in Municipal Court, Traffic Court, or a Justice of the Peace Court.
Can you get probation for a Class A misdemeanor in Texas?
Common Class A Misdemeanor Offenses in Texas
A Class A misdemeanor offense can also include up to two years' community supervision (probation) or three years' community service (with extension): Assault (bodily injury)
What is a Class C assault in Texas?
Under Texas law, you can be charged with a class c assault if you intentionally or knowingly cause physical contact with another person when such contact can be regarded as offensive or provocative. You can also be charged with class c assault if you threaten another with imminent bodily injury.
Can you be a nurse with a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?
Summary. As you can see, obtaining a nursing license in Texas after having a criminal record is definitely possible. While your crime will typically be considered as a factor in your application, things you have done since the conviction will also weigh into their evaluation.
Is speeding a Class C misdemeanor in Texas?
Texas considers most traffic tickets to be Class C misdemeanors and not civil infractions. Speeding is the most common Class C misdemeanor.
Can I get a concealed weapons permit with a misdemeanor in Texas?
In the state of Texas, you will not be given an LTC if you have been convicted of a class A or B misdemeanor within the last 5 years. This means, if you have a DWI (a class B misdemeanor) less than 5 years ago, you will not be allowed to obtain your LTC.
Can a person with a misdemeanor own a gun in Texas?
If the abuser has been convicted of a crime, can s/he keep or buy a gun? Under Texas law, anyone convicted of a Class A domestic violence misdemeanor cannot have a gun for 5 years following his/her release from jail/ prison or community supervision.
How serious is a Class A misdemeanor in Texas?
Class A misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in the county jail, and/or a fine of up to $4000. Class A misdemeanors are considered the most serious type of misdemeanor in Texas.
What disqualifies you from teaching in Texas?
Offenses considered to relate directly to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession include, but are not limited to: (1) offenses involving moral turpitude; (2) offenses involving any form of sexual or physical abuse or neglect of a student or minor or other illegal conduct with a student or minor; (3 ...