The stakes are high while you’re facing family and domestic violence charges in Austin. If you’re convicted, your life could forever change as you know it, preventing you from spending time with your family, working full-time, and even living in certain areas. However, here’s some good news: you’re innocent until proven guilty, meaning there’s still time to safeguard your future and partner with a lawyer.
An Austin criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you navigate the legal process during this challenging time. Our firm has extensive experience defending clients from seemingly insurmountable charges, and now, we want to do the same for you. Call now to start a free initial consultation.
A Domestic Violence Attorney Handles Your Case From Start to Finish
Attorney Randall B. Isenberg, a former senior chief felony prosecutor and state district trial judge, leads our firm in securing justice for our clients––including those facing allegations of family and domestic violence.
As we prepare your defense against criminal charges, we will:
- Listen to your account of events to learn what happened from your perspective
- Investigate the circumstances of your arrest to determine if law enforcement officials violated your rights
- Examine the charges against you and the evidence the prosecution has in its possession
- Negotiate a potential plea bargain, minimizing the legal penalties you face
- Defend you in court and present evidence that could yield a favorable outcome
Our professionals will represent you in all meetings, including ones you have with law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges. We will walk you through each step of litigation, answer your questions, and offer general support.
Our Law Firm Gets Positive Outcomes for Austin Defendants
The last thing you want is a public defender to take your case. While these are respected professionals, they’re limited in the time and resources available to build strong cases. Some even try to get their clients to plead guilty, just so they can move on to the next case.
That’s not the case when you partner with the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg. We advise you on your legal options based on what’s best for you, not what’s convenient for us. We believe that our previous case results outline our commitment to defendants facing family and domestic assault charges.
Some of our most recent victories include:
- Our client came to us facing a criminal charge of assault with a deadly weapon. After presenting our case, we were able to secure deferred probation.
- Our client was accused of impeding a family member’s breathing, a crime Texas has zero tolerance for. Still, just like our previous client, we got deferred probation.
- The prosecution wanted our client to spend ten years in the custody of the Texas Department of Corrections. We didn’t. We were able to present a compelling case where our client got probation.
Time and time again, we get our clients’ charges dropped, reduced, and dismissed. We take on cases that other lawyers are too afraid to manage. When we take your case, we aim for the best possible outcome and nothing less.
Our Austin Criminal Defense Attorneys Shield You From These Penalties
Because domestic violence cases are so serious, the legal repercussions carry equal weight. That said, potential legal penalties are specific to each charge.
A domestic violence case could result in probation, prison time, fines, loss of child custody, and more. You could face serious penalties, depending on your domestic violence charges and the prosecution’s case against you.
In Texas, a Class C misdemeanor domestic violence offense, the most minor penalty in this category, can bring up to $500 in fines. If you are convicted of a Class A misdemeanor charge, you can expect up to a year in jail and $4,000 in fines. If convicted of a felony crime, you could face:
- For a third-degree felony– 2 to 10 years behind bars and a $10,000 fine
- For a second-degree felony– 2 to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
- For a first-degree felony– 5 to 99 years behind bars and a $10,000 fine
A domestic violence conviction or similarly serious conviction is life-altering. If we can negotiate a favorable plea agreement, dismiss your charges, or ensure a not-guilty verdict, this stressful ordeal may be little more than a bump in the road of your life.
These Factors Could Affect Your Possible Criminal Sentencing
The penalties you could face if convicted of family and domestic violence ultimately depend on:
- The specific circumstances surrounding the alleged crime
- Whether this is your first offense or if you have a criminal history
- Whether you express remorse or admit guilt for your actions
- If you will be able to follow probationary or sentencing guidelines
Whether this is your first time facing the legal system or you have prior experience with legal issues, our family and domestic violence legal team serving the Austin area will review your circumstances and provide a sound legal strategy.
Plea Bargains: Could That Benefit My Family and Domestic Violence Case?
Some cases don’t complete a trial. Instead, the defendant and the prosecutor make an out-of-court agreement that bypasses the need for litigation. Plea deals make this possible. Here, instead of pleading guilty to what the state has charged you with, you plead guilty to a lesser crime.
An outline of how this could work includes:
- You face a first-degree felony after allegedly assaulting a family member.
- The state has overwhelming evidence that you intentionally endangered someone’s safety.
- We present evidence that this was a one-off event that carried extenuating circumstances, and you don’t deserve the weight of a first-degree felony charge.
- The prosecutor offers to lower your charge to a third-degree felony in exchange for pleading guilty.
You may wonder how pleading guilty could benefit you. In the scenario above, accepting the lesser third-degree felony charge would result in less jail time and fewer fines. Your Austin criminal defense attorney can evaluate whether a plea deal is possible and what that would mean for your future.
Possible Defenses Against Your Austin Domestic Violence Charges
After investigating your case and weighing the prosecution’s evidence, we may use one or more of the following as the basis of our defense strategy:
- You acted in self-defense. You have the right to protect yourself and others from physical injuries. Context is important here, so when using this defense, we’ll use evidence, like statements from eyewitnesses and security camera footage (if possible to obtain).
- The alleged incident never happened. Someone may have an ulterior motive for accusing you of a violent crime. For instance, if you’re in the midst of a heated custodial dispute, your child’s other parent may try to paint you in a bad light.
- The police wrongfully arrested you. The police must have probable cause to arrest you on suspicion of family or domestic violence. They can’t respond to a call and solely rely on hearsay. If the police had no reason to arrest you, we can move to have your case dropped.
You have the right to have your case presented to a judge and jury. No matter what the police or prosecution say, you have the right to informed legal counsel. You don’t have to take our word for it, though. You can check out what previous clients have shared about our quality of service.
Contact Our Law Firm Today to Discuss Your Family and Domestic Violence Case
Domestic violence charges require immediate attention. You don’t want to face these charges alone; doing so could put your future in jeopardy. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg has the experience, resources, and reputation you want. What’s more, we offer free initial consultations where you can meet our team and explore your next steps.
