Have you been charged with domestic violence in The Colony, Texas? Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg would like to help. Our founder, Randy Isenberg, has decades of legal experience as a judge, a prosecutor, and a defense attorney.
Family Violence Penalties Can be Severe
The penalties you can face if convicted of family violence depend on what “level” of charge you are facing. In increasing order of severity, a family violence charge may be categorized as a:
- Class C misdemeanor
- Class B misdemeanor
- Class A misdemeanor
- Third–degree felony
- Second–degree felony
- First–degree felony
As detailed in Texas Penal Code §12, penalties for felonies and misdemeanors are similar in type, if not in scale. Felony penalties typically include the following:
- Time in prison: The maximum sentences range from 10 years to life.
- A fine: All felonies carry a maximum possible fine of $10,000.
Misdemeanor penalties may seem lenient compared to felony punishments, but they can still be devastating, especially for those with limited funds or support. They include:
- Time in jail: The maximum sentences range from 6 months to 1 year; Class C misdemeanors do not involve jail time.
- A fine: The maximum possible fine ranges from $500 to $4,000.
Other Consequences You Could Face
In addition to the legal penalties described above, you may find that having a conviction on your criminal record has permanent negative effects on your life. For instance, it can hamper your ability to:
- Exercise your rights: The right to vote, for example, is not granted to those convicted of a crime. You may also lose the right to own a gun.
- Rent or buy a home: Landlords may not want to rent to a convicted felon. If you were convicted of sexual offenses, you may not be able to live in certain areas.
- Find employment: Your conviction itself, as well as the time you spent in jail or prison, could cost you your job or dissuade other companies from hiring you.
- Save for the future: For many individuals, having to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines can endanger or destroy their financial security.
- Reconcile with your friends and family: The conviction may be enough to convince people close to you that you are guilty, causing them to distance themselves from you.
To defend yourself against these and other consequences, Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help. One of our family and domestic violence lawyers from The Colony could help you avoid the direct and indirect penalties of a family violence conviction.
Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is Available to Help With Your Case
Managing your own defense is often very difficult, especially when the charge is as personal and as sensitive as a family violence charge. A lawyer from Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you in the following ways:
- Working through your options: There are many ways to approach a case and build a defense. Our team will help you choose the path that is best for you.
- Discrediting the prosecution’s case: We will look for evidence that the charges against you are untrue or unlawfully made. This could even include finding evidence of police misconduct.
- Bargaining with the judge: Sometimes, we can avoid the courtroom by seeking a dismissal of all charges. Other times, we get the charges against our clients reduced, so they face less severe penalties if they are convicted.
- Appearing in court: Your lawyer will represent you in the courtroom. This may include making arguments, questioning witnesses, and more.
- Addressing your concerns: We know how intimidating and confusing the law can be. Feel free to call our team any time for answers or advice.
The Definition of Family Violence
Although the terms “domestic violence” or “domestic abuse” are common, the legal term for such offenses in the state of Texas is “family violence.” As defined in Texas Family Code §71.004, family violence may involve:
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Human trafficking
- Allowing or encouraging a child to use illegal drugs or alcohol
- Failing to try to prevent the physical or sexual abuse of a relative
- Emotional distress caused by the threat of any of the above
Anyone may be the victim of family violence, regardless of their age, gender, or relationship with the accused. Also, because dating violence falls under the legal umbrella of “family violence,” an individual may accuse their romantic partner of family violence even if they are not legally married.
The Role of Protective Orders in Family Violence Cases
If you are accused of family violence, you may end up as the subject of a protective order. Protective orders are issued by judges who believe that the subject is an imminent threat to someone else’s safety. According to Texas Family Code §85.022, as the subject of a protective order, you may have to:
- Attend an abuse prevention program
- Stay away from the accuser
- Stay away from any and all places the accuser frequently visits
- Surrender your firearms and have your gun license suspended
Regardless of how you feel about the order, do not try to violate it. Violating a protective order is in and of itself a criminal offense for which you could face conviction and punishment. Instead, contact a lawyer to learn more about your rights and options.
Call Our Law Firm for Representation Today
Our The Colony family and domestic violence lawyers from Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help you defend yourself. For a free consultation, call us today at
(214) 696-9253. Members of our team are standing by to talk to you.
