An arrest and conviction for any crime is something you want to avoid in Texas, especially a violent crime like assault. Even a misdemeanor assault conviction can leave you facing one year in jail, while the most serious felony assault cases carry prison sentences of up to 99 years. A conviction can also result in heavy fines. If you’ve been charged with assault in Lancaster, a Lancaster assault lawyer from our firm can help.
The criminal defense team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is ready to fight for your right to face your accuser and defend you against assault charges. We know how much your freedom and reputation mean to you, and we will do our best to defend both. We offer all clients the benefit of diligent, dedicated, and experienced legal representation.
Types of Assault Charges That Our Lawyers Can Defend You Against
Texas law has a broader definition of assault than many people realize. While almost everyone knows they can be arrested for punching someone, the legal standard in Texas for assault offers significant latitude to law enforcement to make an assault arrest.
In addition to striking another person with the intent to do bodily harm, the following offenses also qualify as assault:
- Recklessly committing an act that leads to bodily injury
- Pushing, shoving, or making unwanted physical contact with another person who reasonably views the contact as an incitement to violence
- Making a verbal threat to do bodily harm to another person when there is reason to believe you have intent to carry the threat out
Any of these actions can be charged as “simple assault,” which is a Class A misdemeanor in Lancaster. However, even this misdemeanor charge is serious, as simple assault is punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000. Your freedom and reputation are at stake any time you’re arrested for assault, making it even more important to have an experienced assault lawyer defending you.
Our Lawyers Can Also Defend You in Felony Assault Cases
Simple assault is a misdemeanor, but assault committed under certain circumstances or against certain people can be charged as a felony. Some common examples of when misdemeanor simple assault might result in a felony charge include:
- An assault committed against a spouse, romantic partner, or former romantic partner
- An assault committed against a public employee while they are conducting official business
- An assault against a member of your family
- An assault against a member of your household
Felony assault is a third-degree felony, which is punishable by 2-10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is an even more serious offense than felony assault. In an aggravated assault case, the state alleges that you committed an assault that did serious bodily harm to the victim and “used or displayed” a weapon during the assault. According to Texas Penal Code, this is a second-degree felony – if convicted, you can be sentenced to 2-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
However, you can also be charged with first-degree felony assault if the state alleges the victim suffered severe bodily harm or you used a deadly weapon during the assault. This offense could result in 5-99 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 if convicted. The state may also file first-degree aggravated assault charges if they believe you knowingly fired shots into an occupied home, building, or vehicle.
It goes without saying that the more serious the assault charges are, the more important it becomes to choose the right attorney. A Lancaster assault lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg will do everything possible to protect your legal rights and build a solid defense strategy.
Our Lancaster Assault Lawyers Specialize in Criminal Defense
Whatever type of assault charge you are facing, your attorney’s level of experience with the criminal justice system can have a significant impact on the outcome of your trial. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg offers you deep experience on both sides of the criminal justice process. Our firm’s founder, Randall B. Isenberg, was a Dallas County district court judge and Chief Felony Prosecutor for Dallas County before becoming a defense attorney.
Attorney Isenberg is also certified in criminal defense by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and as a criminal advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. This proven experience in prosecuting and presiding over criminal cases – and now defending them – is a major reason why our assault lawyers have won so many cases for clients.
How Do Our Lawyers Fight Assault Charges in Lancaster?
We fight assault charges in many different ways. Every case is unique, and your Lancaster assault lawyer will strive to get the best possible result for your specific case. We do this by gathering evidence, aggressively cross-examining any witnesses against you, and crafting a defense strategy that puts reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury.
There are numerous potential defenses we can mount, such as:
- Your actions don’t meet the legal definition of assault
- You were acting in self-defense
- You are innocent of the charges
Another area we can attack is the quality of the state’s legal procedure. All criminal cases have specific procedures that the state must follow – if they don’t, we may be able to get key evidence against you dismissed. Depending on the severity of the procedural violation, we may be able to get the entire case thrown out.
Contact a Lancaster Assault Lawyer Today
Whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, an assault conviction is not something you want on your record. Having a criminal record makes it much more difficult to move on with your life after the case. Being arrested for assault does not mean you’re guilty of assault – and having legal representation can make a big difference in your case.
If you are facing assault charges and don’t know where to turn, the team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is here to help. Our Lancaster assault lawyers offer free case evaluations, so we can explain your legal options and the best ways to defend you. We’re here and more importantly, we are committed to fighting for you. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can help.
