Assault & Domestic Violence Charges
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Assault cases can be complex and emotional. Depending on the specific allegations against you, charges can range from a Class C misdemeanor citation to a first-degree felony. You need an attorney that will listen to you, work with you, and help you through the difficult process of facing a criminal assault charge.
What is an Assault or Domestic Violence Charge?
Domestic violence is defined as the use of force or abuse in any domestic situation. Abuse includes physical abuse (hitting, biting, slapping), sexual abuse, emotional abuse (invalidating sense of self-worth), and economic abuse (forcing victim to feel financial reliance).
An assault or domestic violence charge has three main elements that prosecutors must be able to prove:
• intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person
• intentionally or knowingly threatening another person with imminent bodily injury; OR
• intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another that the offender knows OR reasonably should know the victim
will find provocative or offensive.
It is important to note that Travis County pursues a no-drop policy. This means that even if the victim of the domestic violence chooses not to press charges, Travis County prosecutors will still pursue the case. However, a strategic defense can work to convince prosecutors to drop the case or ensure minimum penalty.
What is the penalty?
The penalty for a assault or domestic violence charge is dependent upon a variety of factors including the severity of the abuse, the relationship of the victim and defendant, defendant’s past convictions of domestic violence, and whether strangulation was involved. These factors can result in a charge ranging from a class C misdemeanor to a first degree felony, with the latter punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or 5 to 99 years in prison.
An assault or domestic violence charge can have severely damaging consequences. An experienced criminal defense attorney can work with you ensure that you have a formidable defense.
Texas children can face juvenile charges as young as ten years old. Some crimes committed while a juvenile can be prosecuted years later, even when you’re an adult. The juvenile justice system can be confusing and overwhelming. An experienced juvenile law attorney can assist your child in getting the best result possible in the minor’s case.
What is an Assault or Domestic Violence Charge?
Domestic violence is defined as the use of force or abuse in any domestic situation. Abuse includes physical abuse (hitting, biting, slapping), sexual abuse, emotional abuse (invalidating sense of self-worth), and economic abuse (forcing victim to feel financial reliance).
An assault or domestic violence charge has three main elements that prosecutors must be able to prove:
• intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person
• intentionally or knowingly threatening another person with imminent bodily injury; OR
• intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another that the offender knows OR reasonably should know the victim
will find provocative or offensive.
It is important to note that Travis County pursues a no-drop policy. This means that even if the victim of the domestic violence chooses not to press charges, Travis County prosecutors will still pursue the case. However, a strategic defense can work to convince prosecutors to drop the case or ensure minimum penalty.
What is the penalty?
The penalty for a assault or domestic violence charge is dependent upon a variety of factors including the severity of the abuse, the relationship of the victim and defendant, defendant’s past convictions of domestic violence, and whether strangulation was involved. These factors can result in a charge ranging from a class C misdemeanor to a first degree felony, with the latter punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or 5 to 99 years in prison.
An assault or domestic violence charge can have severely damaging consequences. An experienced criminal defense attorney can work with you ensure that you have a formidable defense.
Texas children can face juvenile charges as young as ten years old. Some crimes committed while a juvenile can be prosecuted years later, even when you’re an adult. The juvenile justice system can be confusing and overwhelming. An experienced juvenile law attorney can assist your child in getting the best result possible in the minor’s case.
Get In Touch
Call (512) 200-3801 to start your defense today.
404 W 13 St. Austin, TX 78701
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