Texas law limits a judge or jury’s authority to order or grant probation on certain offenses. These are typically what DWI lawyers refer to as “3g” offenses. This list includes, but is not limited to: Murder, Sexual Assault, Injury to a Child, and Compelling Prostitution. More importantly, though, the law limits a Judge’s ability to grant probation when the offense involves a deadly weapon. If a deadly weapon was used or exhibited in the commission of a felony and the defendant is the one who used or exhibited the deadly weapon, the law says that a Judge may not grant straight probation.

A jury, however, has fewer limits. While a jury may not grant probation for offenses like Murder or certain Aggravated Kidnapping, they may also not grant probation if a person receives a sentence of imprisonment that exceeds 10 years. However, a jury has no deadly weapon limit. In other words, a judge may not grant straight probation for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, but a jury can.

Oddly, there is an exception to the deadly weapon rule. A judge still has authority to grant deferred adjudication probation if an offense involves a deadly weapon. There are other restrictions to deferred, however, that may affect your case. Please contact our DWI Lawyers to discuss the specific facts of your case to determine if any of these exceptions apply to you.

More about Mimi Coffey & The Coffey Firm

When people look for a Top DWI Attorney or Best DWI Attorney, they look for experience, certification, and respect in the legal community. Mimi Coffey is a nationally-renowned trial attorney, board-certified in DWI by the NCDD. She has been practicing for over 24 years and is an author of multiple DWI Defense textbooks. She is also a national and state-wide lecturer on the law.

The Coffey Firm handles a wide variety of cases, including Unlawful Carrying Weapon (UCW), Assault (including family violence), and Possession charges. We can also help you try to get a DWI off your record or avoid probation revocation.

Mimi is also listed on several “top criminal lawyer near me” directory listings such as Wise County DWI Lawyers, Tarrant County DWI Lawyer, Dallas County DWI attorney, Collin County DWI attorneys and Parker County DWI attorneys. Mimi is a caring DWI Lawyer in Dallas – Fort Worth. She is also involved in the Texas Tech School of Law foundation and enjoys using the skills she has developed to give back to the community.

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