Upon conviction for family or domestic violence charges, you could find yourself spending time behind bars. You will also face substantial monetary fines and fees, probation, community service, and protective orders that restrict your access to your home and your children. This conviction will also go on your criminal record, which can haunt you for years or decades.
A family and domestic violence lawyer in University Park can protect your legal rights and help you make the most informed decisions to protect your future and your family. Criminal defense attorney Randall Isenberg provides compassionate representation for clients in University Park, mounting an aggressive defense against these damaging accusations.
For a free consultation, contact the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at 214-696-9253.
Penalties for Family & Domestic Violence Crimes in University Park
The Texas family and domestic violence laws span a wide variety of offenses. Although you may believe that these offenses are limited to abuse and assault, almost any violent crime defined in the Texas Penal Code (TPC) can become a domestic or family violence offense when perpetrated on a family member, domestic partner, or even a housemate.
The charges you face vary depending on the nature of the offense, your past criminal record, and any aggravating circumstances associated with the crime. Most offenses range between a Class B misdemeanor and some level of felony charge.
The penalties for each class of offense are as follows:
| Charge | Penalties |
| Class B Misdemeanor | $2,000 in fines
Up to 6 months in jail |
| Class A Misdemeanor | $4,000 in fines
Up to 1 year in jail |
| Third-Degree Felony | $10,000 in fines
2 to 10 years in prison |
| Second-Degree Felony | $10,000 in fines
2 to 20 years in prison |
| First-Degree Felony | $10,000 in fines
5 to 99 years in prison |
The statutes give the prosecutor the ability to pursue enhancements to domestic and family violence offenses, which can substantially increase the penalties you will face upon conviction. Circumstances that may qualify for enhancements include those incidents in which the victim:
- Was a minor child
- Was elderly or disabled
- Had special needs
- Feared for their life
- Claimed you strangled, choked, or smothered them
You will also face enhanced charges if you repeatedly commit domestic or family violence offenses within a limited time period. If you were carrying a weapon at the time of the alleged incident, you could face much more serious penalties — even if you never pulled the weapon out.
You may also face probation, community service, and orders of protection, which can prevent you from living in or even visiting your own home. You may even lose the right to see your children.
Unfortunately, an angry or vindictive partner or family member can make false accusations and, even without witnesses or evidence to corroborate the story, you could end up with a conviction on your record. And that is why talking to a domestic and family violence lawyer in University Park is so important for your future.
A University Park Family & Domestic Violence Attorney Can Help Protect Your Future
Due to the pain and embarrassment that can accompany these accusations, people often accept unfavorable plea agreements, pleading guilty to put the incident behind them or because they believe a conviction is inevitable.
Before you make any decisions or agree to plead guilty, talk to a University Park family and domestic violence lawyer to learn more about your options.
When you choose the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg to represent you, our legal team will get to work on your case right away. We will obtain evidence and call on our network of resources to discover as much as possible about your case and the facts the police and prosecutor may have missed or overlooked. The services we provide for you include:
- Protecting your legal rights
- Answering your questions and explaining your options
- Interviewing witnesses
- Obtaining photos and videos
- Reviewing police reports
- Obtaining medical records
We will diligently pursue the truth on your behalf to identify potential motives of the accuser. We will also scrutinize the evidence to identify any violations of your legal rights and potential errors made by the police.
Using the information we obtain, we may successfully negotiate with the prosecutor to get your charges reduced or dismissed. We will carefully craft our defense strategy based on the facts and evidence in your case and, if we must take your case to court, we will craft an appropriate defense strategy for your defense.
Potential Defense Strategies for Family & Domestic Violence Charges
In Texas, most domestic and family violence crimes do not qualify for expungement. Even if you accept a deal that involves a deferral or diversion, you could still end up with a record.
For that reason, discussing your case with a criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid taking a deal that ultimately does not benefit you.
Although our legal team will craft a defense strategy based on the elements of your case, these are some of the most common legal strategies we use for cases of this nature:
- Violations of your legal rights
- Illegal search and seizure
- False accusations
- Accidental contact
- Self-defense
- Defense of property
- Defense of another person
We will be there to answer your questions, help you explore your options, and support you in every way possible throughout the process.
Call us today for a free consultation. We can evaluate your case and determine potential defense options: 214-696-9253.
How Texas Defines Family & Domestic Violence Crimes
Some of the most common offenses that prosecutors pursue under the Offenses Against the Person section of the TPC include assault, sexual assault, and stalking. The TPC also defines the potential victims of family or domestic violence. This includes all current and former:
- Spouses
- Domestic partners
- Housemates
- Boyfriends/girlfriends
- Blood relatives
- In-law relatives
- Co-parents
- Children
However, the prosecutor can pursue criminal charges for merely threatening any member of the above list, whether or not you acted on that threat. If you are facing charges for a violent crime against anyone in the list above, call us today: 214-696-9253.
Consult a Family & Domestic Violence Lawyer in University Park for Free
You may feel compelled to accept a deal from the prosecutor on the promise that doing so will make the problem go away more quickly. However, this may not be in your best interest. By talking to a family and domestic violence lawyer, you can gain a different perspective — one that considers your well-being and your future first.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides complimentary consultations and case reviews for people facing these serious and potentially life-altering charges. Call our office today at 214-696-9253 to see how a family and domestic violence lawyer in University Park can help you.
