A conviction for assault, murder, or another violent crime can put you behind bars for years or decades. You will also face substantial fines, probation, community service, other costly penalties, and a permanent criminal record.
A murder and assault lawyer in University Park can help you fight the charges. Criminal defense attorney Randall Isenberg uses his experience as a felony prosecutor and state court judge to help you. Our legal team will protect your legal rights and build the most robust possible case in your defense.
Contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253 for a free case evaluation.
Potential Penalties for Murder and Assault in University Park
The sentence you receive upon conviction or assault, murder, or another violent crime will depend on the nature of the alleged offense and the specific type of charges brought by the prosecution team.
If you have a prior criminal record or if your case involves aggravating circumstances, it will increase the severity of your potential penalties.
Assault
The Texas statutes include a variety of offenses under the definition of assault, which the law broadly defines as threatening or causing bodily harm.
You can face charges ranging from a Class A misdemeanor to a second- or third-degree felony if you are arrested for assault. The potential penalties for each of these charges are as follows.
Class A Misdemeanor
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to $4,000 in fines
Third-Degree Felony
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
Second-Degree Felony
- Up to 20 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
A simple assault will likely carry misdemeanor charges, as long as you have no prior criminal convictions on your record. However, you will face a third-degree felony assault charge if the victim was a first responder in the process of carrying out their job duties. First responders include:
- Police officer
- Sheriff
- Emergency medical technician
- Guardian of the family court
The state will file third-degree felony family or domestic violence charges if the assault victim fell into one of these categories:
- Spouse or domestic partner (past or present)
- Co-parent or foster co-parent
- Dating or romantic partner (past or present)
- Family member
- Housemate or roommate
You may face second-degree felony charges if you had a weapon on you — even if you never pulled or used it — during the commission of this crime. Depending on the circumstances, the prosecutor can pursue additional charges that could significantly increase the level of punishment you already face.
Murder
The Texas Penal Code (TPC) establishes the definition and potential punishment for crimes related to murder, including manslaughter, criminal homicide, criminally negligent homicide, and capital murder. To qualify as murder, the perpetrator must intentionally cause another person’s death.
Murder carries first-degree felony charges, punishable by 5 years to life in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the offense qualifies for a capital murder charge (killing a police officer or first responder, committing multiple murders, or committing murder for hire), you will not be eligible for parole. A capital murder conviction can also bring the death penalty.
How Having Murder and Assault Lawyer Can Help
When you choose Randall Isenberg to represent you, you will have the benefit of more than three decades of experience as a prosecutor, judge, and criminal defense lawyer.
We will protect your legal rights and defend you against these serious charges. We will handle every aspect of your case, answering your questions and ensuring that you have the information you need to make informed decisions.
We will create legal defense strategies based on the facts and evidence in your case. Although our goal is always to get your charges reduced or dismissed, we stand ready to represent you in court, if necessary, and present the most persuasive possible case in your defense.
Potential Legal Defense Strategies for Murder and Assault
Our legal team, using the network of resources at our disposal, will carefully assemble and evaluate the evidence in your case, to determine the best approach to your defense against murder or assault charges.
Some of the most common approaches include:
- Violations of your Legal Rights: This may involve the failure to advise you of your rights or more complex violations such as illegal search and seizure.
- Self-Defense or Defense of Others: This strategy is appropriate when your actions were justified due to the threat of force or immediate danger.
- Mistaken Identity: In this approach, we must demonstrate that you had an alibi during the time of the alleged incident.
- Death or Injuries Were Accidental: If someone sustained injuries or died as the result of an accident, this can serve as a potential defense strategy in your case.
Whatever approach we choose for your case, you can rest assured that we will structure your defense to achieve the best outcome possible for you.
The Importance of Talking to a Murder and Assault Lawyer ASAP
Putting our legal team on your case as quickly as possible can provide several important advantages. This is especially true if the prosecutor has not yet filed charges.
If we have the opportunity to intervene early, we can potentially persuade the prosecutor to forego filing charges or to file lesser charges.
The prosecution must meet a high burden of proof to get a conviction for these serious offenses. If we can cite potential problems with the evidence in your case, this may successfully convince the prosecutor that they will struggle to get a conviction. This opens the door for favorable negotiations.
Free Consultation With a Murder and Assault Lawyer in University Park
Here at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we understand how terrifying your situation can seem, and we are standing by to help.
To assist you in choosing the best options for your future, we offer a no-cost case evaluation. We will answer your questions and explain your options, allowing you to make the right decision for your future. If you are in police custody, we can come to you.
For your free consultation with a murder and assault lawyer in University Park, call us at 214-696-9253.
