3G OFFENSES IN TEXAS

Certain serious crimes in Texas are known as “3G” offenses.  As a result, the consequences of a conviction for a 3G offense are rather harsh. If convicted of a “3G” offense, in most cases, probation will not be an option, and you’ll be required to serve at least half of your prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

If you’ve recently been arrested for a “3G” offense in Houston or its surrounding communities and counties, you need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

WHY IS IT CALLED A 3G OFFENSE?

The term “3G” originates from an old section of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure: 42.12(3)(g). Subsection (3)(g) enumerated criminal offenses specifically to be subject to harsh penalty restrictions.

For years, attorneys referred to the crimes listed in this section as “3G” offenses. Today, the code has been restructured and 3G offenses are actually found elsewhere in the code. However, the term “3G offenses” stuck and is still widely used in Texas.

WHAT ARE THE 3G FELONY OFFENSES?

The phrase “3G offense” is used to refer to very specific crimes that were once listed in Section 42.12(3)(g) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. 3G offenses, which are now listed in Article 42A.054 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, include:

• Murder
• Capital murder
• Aggravated kidnapping
• Human trafficking
• Indecency with a child
• Sexual assault
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Injury to a child, elderly, or disabled individual (first-degree offense)
• Aggravated robbery
• Burglary of a habitation to commit a felony other than theft
• Compelling prostitution of a minor by force, threat, or fraud
• Criminal solicitation of a first-degree felony
• Sexual performance by a child
• Drug offenses involving the use of a child, and
• Any felony in which a deadly weapon was used before, during, or after the crime.

The consequences of a 3G offense tend to be more severe than those for non-3G offenses.

CONSEQUENCES OF THIS IN TEXAS

3G offenses are particularly serious and/or violent. The reason these crimes were listed in a special subsection of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure was so that they could be punished more harshly. Specifically, 3G offenses are subject to certain sentencing enhancements involving probation and parole. Hiring an experienced attorney is of the utmost importance, contact Gary Tabakman today.