Tex. Codes » Penal Code · TITLE 3. PUNISHMENTS · CHAPTER 12. PUNISHMENTS
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Tex. Penal Code § 12.03 (2026)

Classification Of Misdemeanors

✓ current as of May 2026
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Sec. 12.03. CLASSIFICATION OF MISDEMEANORS. (a) Misdemeanors are classified according to the relative seriousness of the offense into three categories:

(1) Class A misdemeanors;

(2) Class B misdemeanors;

(3) Class C misdemeanors.

(b) An offense designated a misdemeanor in this code without specification as to punishment or category is a Class C misdemeanor.

(c) Conviction of a Class C misdemeanor does not impose any legal disability or disadvantage.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 19 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1977–2025 · leading case: Reeder v. Daniel, 61 S.W.3d 359 (Tex. 2001).
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Reeder v. Daniel, 61 S.W.3d 359 (Tex. 2001). · cites it 2× “The Alcoholic Beverage Code was amended effective September 1, 1997, to change the misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor.”
Aguirre v. State, 22 S.W.3d 463 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “[32] See TEX. PENAL CODE § 12.03(c). [33] WILLIAMS, supra note 31, at 259.”
State v. Chacon, 273 S.W.3d 375 (Tex. App. 2008). · cites it 2× “See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.03 (Vernon 2003).”
State v. Bennett, 415 S.W.3d 867 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). “See Tex Penal Code §§ 12.03(a), 12.04(a) (Vernon’s 1974).”
Lipscomb v. Randall, 985 S.W.2d 601 (Tex. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “” Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.03 (c) (Vernon 1994).”
United States v. Taylor, 592 F.3d 1104 (10th Cir. 2010). “104; Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.03 . The officers next decided to tow the car.”
Johnston v. Am. Med. Int'l, 36 S.W.3d 572 (Tex. App. 2000). “” Tex. Pen.Code Ann. § 12.03(c) (Vernon 2000).”
Jones v. State, 762 S.W.2d 330 (Tex. App. 1988). “6701/-1 does not classify the offenses defined therein in the terms employed in Tex.Pen.Code Ann. §§ 12.03 and 12.04 (1974), but instead employs a punishment scheme based on the defendant’s previous D.”
Banks v. State, 29 S.W.3d 642 (Tex. App. 2000). “” Tex.Pen.Code Ann. §§ 12.03 & 12.04 (Vernon 1994).”
Pfeffer v. State, 683 S.W.2d 64 (Tex. App. 1985). “Tex.Penal Code § 12.03(c) (Vernon 1974). An explanation of the section is written in this language: Section 12.”
Cyr v. Walls, 439 F. Supp. 697 (N.D. Tex. 1977). “Texas Penal Code §§ 12.03 & 12.23. 5 . See note 2, supra.”
Phuong Thai Than v. State, 918 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. App. 1996). “See Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.03(a)(1) (Vernon 1994).”
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Tex. Penal Code § 12.03(a): 3 cases
State v. Bennett, 415 S.W.3d 867 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). “See Tex Penal Code §§ 12.03(a), 12.04(a) (Vernon’s 1974).”
State of Texas v. Bennett, Carl Alan (Tex. Crim. App. 2013).
State v. Carl Alan Bennett (Tex. App. 2013).
Tex. Penal Code § 12.03(a)(1): 1 case
Phuong Thai Than v. State, 918 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. App. 1996). “See Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.03(a)(1) (Vernon 1994).”
Tex. Penal Code § 12.03(b): 1 case
Reeder v. Daniel, 61 S.W.3d 359 (Tex. 2001). “The Alcoholic Beverage Code was amended effective September 1, 1997, to change the misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor.”
Tex. Penal Code § 12.03(c): 7 cases
Aguirre v. State, 22 S.W.3d 463 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). “[32] See TEX. PENAL CODE § 12.03(c). [33] WILLIAMS, supra note 31, at 259.”
Johnston v. Am. Med. Int'l, 36 S.W.3d 572 (Tex. App. 2000). “” Tex. Pen.Code Ann. § 12.03(c) (Vernon 2000).”
Lipscomb v. Randall, 985 S.W.2d 601 (Tex. App. 1999). “” Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.03 (c) (Vernon 1994).”
Pfeffer v. State, 683 S.W.2d 64 (Tex. App. 1985). “Tex.Penal Code § 12.03(c) (Vernon 1974). An explanation of the section is written in this language: Section 12.”
Arnulfo Cortez, Jr.; Homero R. Balderas, Brian D. Nipper, Mark F. Van Rosendael & Bryan K. Hugghins v. Texas Comm'n on Law Enf't; Gregory Stevens in His Capacity as Exec. Dir. of the Texas Comm'n on Law Enf't; & John Beauchamp, in His Off. Capacity as Couns. for Texas Comm'n on Law Enf't; & T.J. Vineyard, in His Off. Capacity as Major for the Texas Comm'n on Law Enf't (Tex. App. 2025).
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