According to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) research, there were 219,782 victims of family violence in Texas in 2016. One in three Texas residents will experience family violence, with the vast majority of adult victims being women.
To better understand how prevalent family violence is in Texas, DPS research goes on to identify who experiences such abuse:
- Spouses
- Common-law spouses
- Former spouses
- Parents
- Children
- Stepparents
- Stepchildren
- Grandparents
- Siblings
Know What Constitutes Family Violence in Texas
Violence in a shared household affects everyone in the home. Whether you are a victim of violence, the loved one of an abuse victim, or the alleged abuser, you need to understand how Texas identifies abuse.
Texas Penal Code § 71.004 defines family violence as:
- An act of physical harm
- An act of bodily injury
- A physical assault
- A sexual assault
- An act of abuse against a child
Making threats to commit one of the above acts is also considered a form of violence. If you were arrested and charged with family violence, a criminal defense lawyer from our firm might be able to help you disprove the allegations against you.
The Lasting Effects of Family Violence
Women who are the victims of family violence might suffer long-term physical and emotional trauma. The signs of abuse against women might include cuts, scrapes, bruises, broken limbs, and other physical damage.
According to the Office on Women’s Health (OWH) research, abuse victims can also suffer from lasting psychological damage, including:
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Isolation
- Distrust
- Low self-esteem
If you or someone you love has become a victim of family violence, there are resources available to help you get medical assistance for your injuries and leave the violent situation.
The Impact of Family Violence on Children
The long-term impact of violence against family members can be devastating. According to further OWH research, children do not have to be victims of family violence for it to profoundly impact their lives. They might struggle with feelings of unwarranted guilt, physical ailments, and substance abuse.
Children who witness family violence also have an increased risk of repeating acts of violence.
What to Do If You Face Charges of Family Violence
An arrest on charges of violence against a family member or member of your household can have lasting effects on your life, including your reputation. It might temporarily or permanently separate you from your children or other family members.
Knowing this can make it difficult to avoid defending yourself. However, if you are arrested for this very serious charge, make every attempt to avoid:
- Arguing with police or resisting arrest
- Making statements without a lawyer present
- Contacting the accuser on your own
You have the right to bring any police interview to a stop. You are also entitled to have a lawyer with you during any questioning or interviewing by police, according to Texas Code of Criminal Procedure § 38.22. After your arrest, you can insist on contacting a lawyer and refuse to answer any questions without one present.
Steps Our Team Could Take to Defend You
Dealing with the aftermath of an arrest can be difficult on your own. When you hire a criminal defense lawyer from our firm, we will work to:
- Prevent any inadvertent incriminating statements
- Ensure there was probable cause for your arrest
- Identify potential defenses to the charges against you, such as self-defense
- Negotiate a plea bargain or reduction in charges
We can also help you avoid the professional and community damage that might follow such an arrest.
Get Help After an Arrest for Family Violence
If you or someone you love was arrested for family violence in Dallas, you may benefit from the legal support of our law firm. Randall B. Isenberg has more than 30 years of experience as a former prosecutor and a state district judge. He and the rest of our team could work to build your defense and minimize any challenges you face.
Find out more about how prevalent family violence is in Texas and how families might recover. When you are ready to start rebuilding your life and your family, contact the case review team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg by calling (214) 696-9253.
