Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

Can one enhance a state jail felony if they've only had state jail felonys?


Asked on 7/12/11, 7:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Cynthia Henley Cynthia Henley, Lawyer

Yes. This is from the punishment statute of the penal code: Sec. 12.42. PENALTIES FOR REPEAT AND HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDERS. (a) (1) If it is shown on the trial of a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two state jail felonies, on conviction the defendant shall be punished for a third-degree felony.

[ Sec. 12.35. STATE JAIL FELONY PUNISHMENT. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony shall be punished by confinement in a state jail for any term of not more than two years or less than 180 days.(b) In addition to confinement, an individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.(c) An individual adjudged guilty of a state jail felony shall be punished for a third degree felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that:(1) a deadly weapon as defined by Section 1.07 was used or exhibited during the commission of the offense or during immediate flight following the commission of the offense, and that the individual used or exhibited the deadly weapon or was a party to the offense and knew that a deadly weapon would be used or exhibited; or(2) the individual has previously been finally convicted of any felony:(A) under Section 21.02 or listed in Section 3g(a)(1), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure; or(B) for which the judgment contains an affirmative finding under Section 3g(a)(2), Article 42.12, Code of Criminal Procedure.]

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Answered on 7/12/11, 7:50 pm


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