Assault, murder, and other violent crimes charges carry the very real threat of extensive jail time and significant monetary fines. Upon conviction for a violent crime, you will also have a permanent criminal record, which can interfere with your life in several ways.
However, a criminal charge does not mean a conviction is inevitable, particularly when you have a murder and assault lawyer in Richardson on your side. Attorney Randall Isenberg puts his more than 35 years of experience to work for you. As a former felony prosecutor and district court judge, Randall understands how the criminal justice system works. Our legal team can mount an aggressive defense on your behalf, to help you obtain the best possible outcome in your case.
Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation: 214-696-9253.
Potential Penalties for a Murder or Assault Conviction in Richardson
As indicated in the Texas Penal Code (TPC), you will face substantial penalties for murder, assault, and other violent crimes in Richardson.
Simple assault typically warrants a Class A misdemeanor charge, which carries the following penalties.
- Up to 12 months in jail
- Up to $4,000 in fines
If, however, the victim was a first responder, security guard, public employee, or a family court guardian, you will face a third-degree felony. You will also face third-degree felony charges if you have a previous conviction for assault and if the victim was your spouse or romantic partner, a family member (by blood or in-law), or a roommate.
For a third-degree felony conviction, you will face the following penalties.
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
For aggravated assault, you could face second-degree felony charges, which carry the following penalties.
- Up to 20 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
For murder, you will face first-degree felony charges and the following penalties.
- Five to 99 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
For capital murder cases, you will face a life sentence without the potential for parole or, if the prosecutor so chooses, you may face the death penalty.
Other violent crimes, such as kidnapping, unlawful restraint, and deadly conduct, carry similar levels of charges and penalties, all of which will leave you with a permanent criminal record. You may also face supervised probation, community service, and other penalties that the court may impose.
Aggravating factors that will lead to enhanced charges and penalties include having prior criminal convictions on your record, the extent to which the victim sustained injuries, if the victim was elderly or disabled, or if you had a weapon in your possession at the time of the incident.
A Murder & Assault Lawyer Will Protect Your Legal Rights
To ensure the protection of your legal rights, call on a murder and assault lawyer in Richardson for help.
At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, our legal team understands the seriousness of your situation and how important it is to take quick action to protect your future.
We Are There for You During Questioning
The police and prosecutor will want to question you and may push you to plead guilty to the charges. However, you should never make any statements or accept any deal without first consulting a lawyer. If you call us early enough, we can be there with you during questioning to ensure you do not say anything that might put you in hot water.
We Work to Get A Charge Reduction or Dismissal
We understand that you have grave concerns about your future, but the prosecutor must meet a very high burden of proof to obtain a conviction. This provides our legal team with many opportunities for building your defense.
If we have the opportunity to intervene before the prosecutor files charges, we may be able to prevent their filing entirely. If we are unable to get your charges dropped, we can work to have them reduced.
We have many defense strategies at our disposal, depending on the circumstances of your case, including self-defense and the defense of others. We will examine your case to develop the most appropriate legal strategy and, if necessary, mount the strongest possible defense in court.
Throughout the entire process, we will be by your side, answering your questions and helping you navigate the system.
Understanding Murder, Assault, & Violent Crimes Offenses
While these offenses all fall under the umbrella of violent crimes, they have their differences.
Assaultive Offenses
A charge for an assaultive offense alleges that you acted intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly when you caused physical harm to another person. You can also face charges if you threatened someone with physical harm or if you engaged someone in physical conflict with the intent of causing harm.
Assaultive offenses include:
- Simple assault
- Aggravated assault
- Simple and aggravated sexual assault
- Child endangerment and abandonment
- Assault on a vulnerable person (e.g., an elderly person, a disabled person, or a child)
Murder Crimes
Murder falls under “criminal homicide.” This class of offenses also includes capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Similar to assaultive offenses, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you acted intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly when you caused the death of another person.
You can also face murder charges if someone died while you committed a felony or while you were “fleeing from the commission of a felony.”
The prosecutor will pursue capital murder charges if you allegedly killed someone for money, killed a first respond or law enforcement officer, or killed multiple people.
Contact a Murder & Assault Lawyer in Richardson ASAP
Do not attempt to face assault, murder, or other violent crime charges alone. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg provides aggressive criminal defense for clients in Richardson who face murder and assault charges.
We provide a free consultation, to help you make the best possible decisions for your future. If you cannot come to our office because the police have you in custody, we will come to you.
To talk with a criminal defense lawyer in Richardson, call our office today at 214-696-9253.
