After assaulting a family member in the state of Texas, you could be facing severe punishment. Texas takes assault very seriously and wants to hold offenders accountable. Depending on the severity of the assault, the punishment for assaulting a family member in Texas could range from 1 to 99 years in prison with up to $10,000 in fines.
If you or a loved one have been charged with assault of a family member, the attorneys at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help. We will create a defensive strategy that is tailored to your specific needs. It is helpful to hire a defense attorney quickly, so we can get started on your case as soon as possible.
How Does Texas Define Assault?
According to Texas Penal Code § 22.01, simple assault occurs if the person:
- Intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly causes bodily injury to another person
- Intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly threatens to cause bodily injury to another person
- Intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly physically contacts another person who reasonably believes that type of contact was offensive or provocative
Aggravated assault is more severe, and these offenders can receive harsher punishments. Aggravated assault is when someone commits simple assault but also:
- Intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly causes severe bodily injury to someone else
- Has a deadly weapon in their possession or uses a deadly weapon at the time of the assault
Who Is Considered a Family Member?
In the state of Texas, an assault is considered domestic violence if the act of abuse is on a family member. A family member is considered:
- Anyone related by blood
- Anyone related by marriage
- Former spouses
- Parents (biological, adoptive, or foster parents)
- Roommates
- People who are in a dating relationship
Penalties of Assault on a Family Member
The penalties vary based on the severity of the assault. If aggravated assault was committed, the consequences could be more severe than if your charges were for simple assault.
Texas Penal Code § 12 provides the following punishments for assault on family members in Texas:
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in prison and/or up to a $4,000 fine. This punishment is mostly charged when someone causes bodily harm to another.
- Class C misdemeanor: Up to a $500 fine. This occurs if someone threatens bodily injury, but no harm was done.
- Third-degree felony assault: 2-10 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. This punishment is inflicted on those who are charged with a Class A misdemeanor with allegations stating they were choking or strangling the victim.
If someone commits an aggravated assault on a family member, they could face more severe punishments. These charges could include:
- Second-degree felony aggravated assault: 2-20 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
- First-degree felony aggravated assault: 5-99 years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine.
How an Assault Conviction Can Affect You in the Long Term
An assault conviction can have a huge impact on your life and future. Not only will you possibly serve jail time or have to pay fines, but it will stay on your record forever. This could affect your ability to gain employment in the future. It could also affect both personal and professional relationships. Our attorneys will fight hard so your future livelihood will not be put in jeopardy.
An Attorney from Our Firm Will Defend Your Freedom
If your freedom is at stake, an attorney from our firm will work hard to get your charges dismissed or dropped. We know the negative impacts an assault conviction can have on your record and will do everything we can to protect you from that. Once we start working on your case, we will do the following:
- File all legal forms
- Create a defense strategy by examining the evidence against you to try to minimize your negative consequences
- Work hard to get a faster resolution for your case
- Help you prepare if you need to testify
We offer free consultations, available 24/7. During the consultation, we will discuss the circumstances of your case and how we can help you. We want you to leave the consultation with all of your questions answered and feeling confident about your future.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
You do not have to fight assault charges on your own. Our attorneys are here to help and be by your side every step of the way. We believe each client and case deserves personal attention. We will develop an aggressive defense strategy based on the evidence presented against you. We want you to avoid harsh penalties and get the opportunity to move on with your life.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Once you decide to start working with our firm, we will start working on your case right away. If you want attorneys who will advocate aggressively on your behalf, call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg. We will quickly develop the best possible defense.
