Texas Criminal Sentencing Guidelines Calculator

Texas uses a **partially indeterminate** system — the jury (or judge, if jury is waived) sets the sentence within a statutory range. There are **no formal sentencing guidelines** like the federal system. The judge has wide discretion within the statutory minimum and maximum for each offense degree. The type of system — determinate vs. indeterminate — determines whether the judge or a parole board controls actual release.

First-degree felony: **5–99 years** or life. Second-degree: **2–20 years**. Third-degree: **2–10 years**. Murder carries a mandatory minimum of **5 years** (Tex. Pen. Code § 12.32). Aggravated offenses with deadly weapons trigger a **minimum 5-year** no-probation rule. Mandatory minimums remove judicial discretion for specific offenses — the judge cannot sentence below the statutory floor regardless of circumstances.

Community supervision (probation) is available for most offenses up to **10 years**. Deferred adjudication (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 42A.101) allows dismissal after successful completion. Ineligible offenses include murder, aggravated sexual assault, and DWI with a child passenger. Probation keeps a defendant out of prison under court-imposed conditions — but not every offense qualifies.

TDCJ awards good-conduct time that can make a prisoner eligible for **mandatory supervision** (parole-like release). Non-aggravated offenders become eligible when flat time + good time = sentence length. **3g offenses** (aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault, murder) require serving **at least 50%** of the sentence before parole eligibility. Good-time credits can dramatically reduce actual time served — understanding the rules is essential for estimating a realistic release date.

A Texas criminal sentencing calculator should distinguish the sentence pronounced by the judge from expected time served. Jail credit, prison classification, earned-time rules, parole eligibility, probation eligibility, and mandatory-minimum statutes can all change the practical outcome.

• Charge level, offense class, count number, and statutory range.
• Prior record, enhancements, victim injury, weapon allegations, and drug quantity.
• Mandatory minimums, probation eligibility, diversion, and plea offer terms.
• Jail credit, good-time credit, parole eligibility, and consecutive versus concurrent time.
• Fine, court costs, restitution, supervision fees, and collateral consequences.

Treat the output as a planning range, not a promise. Judges, prosecutors, probation departments, and plea negotiations can all move the number. Use the estimate to prepare questions for a defense lawyer about the best-case, likely, and worst-case outcomes before deciding whether to plead or fight.

Texas cost and deadline signals is the right starting point because statewide law sets the baseline, while the facts of your criminal case determine the actual risk band. Use the calculator before you compare attorney quotes, court options, or settlement choices.

Factors that affect the Texas estimate usually comes down to three inputs: the amount at stake, the deadline or statutory rule, and whether the matter can be resolved before a contested filing. The calculator keeps those inputs separate so the result is easier to challenge.

County variation matters in Texas because clerk practices, hearing calendars, and local filing steps can change the time cost even when the statewide rule is fixed.

• Harris County: 4,731,145 residents, county seat in Houston.
• Dallas County: 2,613,539 residents, county seat in Dallas.
• Tarrant County: 2,110,640 residents, county seat in Fort Worth.
• Bexar County: 2,009,324 residents, county seat in San Antonio.
• Travis County: 1,290,188 residents, county seat in Austin.

1. Run the calculator with your current numbers and save the 2026 result.
2. Compare the result with documents, notices, invoices, or deadlines already in hand.
3. Use the estimate to prepare a focused consultation or filing plan before the next deadline.