Tex. Codes » Penal Code · TITLE 3. PUNISHMENTS · CHAPTER 12. PUNISHMENTS
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Tex. Penal Code § 12.04 (2026)

Classification Of Felonies

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Sec. 12.04. CLASSIFICATION OF FELONIES. (a) Felonies are classified according to the relative seriousness of the offense into five categories:

(1) capital felonies;

(2) felonies of the first degree;

(3) felonies of the second degree;

(4) felonies of the third degree; and

(5) state jail felonies.

(b) An offense designated a felony in this code without specification as to category is a state jail felony.

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 1125, ch. 426, art. 2, Sec. 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1974; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.

SUBCHAPTER B. ORDINARY MISDEMEANOR PUNISHMENTS


Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1995–2025 · leading case: Campbell v. State, 49 S.W.3d 874 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001).
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Campbell v. State, 49 S.W.3d 874 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). · cites it 6× “See Tex. Pen.Code § 12.04 ("Felonies are classified according to the relative seriousness of the offense.”
Tapps v. State Tex., 257 S.W.3d 438 (Tex. App.—Austin 2008). · cites it 3× “Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.04 (West 2003); see also id.”
Garza v. State, 213 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). “Tex Pen.Code § 12.04. 33 . Tex. Pen.Code § 12.”
State v. Webb, 12 S.W.3d 808 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). · cites it 2× “See TEX. PEN.CODE § 12.04 (classifying state jail felonies below all non-state jail felonies, in terms of "relative seriousness").”
Tapps v. State, 294 S.W.3d 175 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). “Tex. Penal Code § 12.04(a) (emphasis added).”
Rigoberto Pantoja v. State, 496 S.W.3d 186 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2016). “See Tex. Penal Code Ann. §§ 12.04 (classification of felony offenses), 12.”
Ramirez v. State, 90 S.W.3d 884 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002). · cites it 2× “See Tex. Pen.Code Ann. § 12.04 (Vernon 1994) (classifying felony offenses as capital felonies, felonies of the first degree, felonies of the second degree, felonies of the third degree, and state jail felonies).”
In re J.J., 916 S.W.2d 532 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995). · cites it 2× “” Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.35(a) (Vernon 1994).”
Phuong Thai Than v. State, 918 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1996). · cites it 2× “Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.04(a), (b) (Vernon 1994).”
Adger v. State, 7 S.W.3d 899 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1999). “” Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.04 (a)(5) (Vernon 1994).”
In re JJ, 916 S.W.2d 532 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995). · cites it 2× “TEX.PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.35 (Vernon 1994).”
Ricky Tapps v. State, No. 03-06-00468-CR (Tex. App.—Austin June 6, 2008). · cites it 3× “Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 12.04 (West 2003); see also id.”
Show all 32 citing cases →
Tex. Penal Code § 12.04(a): 16 cases
Campbell v. State, 49 S.W.3d 874 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). “See Tex. Pen.Code § 12.04 ("Felonies are classified according to the relative seriousness of the offense.”
Tapps v. State, 294 S.W.3d 175 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). “Tex. Penal Code § 12.04(a) (emphasis added).”
In re J.J., 916 S.W.2d 532 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1995). “” Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.35(a) (Vernon 1994).”
Phuong Thai Than v. State, 918 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1996). “Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.04(a), (b) (Vernon 1994).”
Schunior, Victor Manuel Jr., No. PD-0526-15 (Tex. Crim. App. Oct. 26, 2015).
Tex. Penal Code § 12.04(a)(1): 1 case
Petetan, US Carnell Jr. A/K/A Carnell Petetan, Jr., No. AP-77,038 (Tex. Crim. App. Aug. 27, 2015).
Tex. Penal Code § 12.04(a)(5): 1 case
Phuong Thai Than v. State, 918 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1996). “Tex.Penal Code Ann. § 12.04(a), (b) (Vernon 1994).”
Tex. Penal Code § 12.04(b): 1 case
Ramirez v. State, 90 S.W.3d 884 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002). “See Tex. Pen.Code Ann. § 12.04 (Vernon 1994) (classifying felony offenses as capital felonies, felonies of the first degree, felonies of the second degree, felonies of the third degree, and state jail felonies).”
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