In Texas, a court can suspend a criminal sentence in certain cases. This often means the person avoids jail or prison if they follow court-ordered conditions.
The goal of suspended sentences is to offer a second chance while still holding someone accountable.
What is a suspended sentence?
A suspended sentence allows the judge to delay or not enforce jail or prison time. Instead, the person may be placed on community supervision. This is often known as probation. During this time, the person must meet specific rules, like regular check-ins, drug testing or community service.
There are two main types of community supervision in Texas. One is regular probation, which comes after a guilty verdict. The other is deferred adjudication, where the court delays a finding of guilt while the person completes supervision. If successful, the case may be dismissed.
Judges can suspend sentences in many misdemeanor cases and some felony cases. However, not all crimes are eligible. For example, some serious violent or repeat offenses may not qualify.
In felony cases, a judge may order some time in jail, then suspend the rest of the sentence. This can happen within a short window after sentencing, usually 180 days. The person is then placed under supervision for the rest of the term.
If the person breaks the terms of supervision, the court can cancel the suspension. This may result in serving the original sentence.
Suspended sentences give people a chance to stay out of jail, as long as they follow the court’s rules and show they can make positive changes. When facing criminal charges, it’s essential to seek legal guidance.
