Which felony category carries the most severe penalties according to Texas law?

In Texas law, capital felonies carry the most severe penalties of all the felony categories. A capital felony is defined specifically as an offense that can result in the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. This makes it distinct from other felonies, which, while serious, generally have less severe sentencing options compared to capital felonies.

For instance, second-degree and third-degree felonies do impose significant penalties, but they typically result in imprisonment for a fixed term, ranging from several years to decades, rather than the more extreme and irrevocable options available for capital felonies. Class C misdemeanors are not felonies at all and involve far less serious offenses, thus carrying only fines and no jail time.

Given the nature of the offenses classified as capital felonies and the associated sentencing, this category is clearly the most severe under Texas law.