If you stand accused of threatening or harming someone else, a Southlake assault lawyer from our team can help you seek a more favorable outcome for your case. Call us after your arrest or when you learn about the charges, and we can explain how we can protect your rights and what steps you should take next.
A Southlake criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is available to discuss your case and develop a compelling defense on your behalf. We represent clients in Tarrant County, Denton County, or other parts of the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.
How Does Texas Law Define Assault?
Under Texas Penal Code Chapter 22: Assaultive Offenses, one could commit several actions to face allegations of assault. This law encompasses the offenses classified as assault and battery in other states. There is no separate law for battery in Texas.
If Southlake Police or another law enforcement agency arrested you and you face assault charges, they likely believe you acted in one of the following ways:
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused physical injury to another party
- Intentionally or knowingly caused someone else to fear imminent bodily injury
- Intentionally or knowingly had physical contact with someone while knowing it was likely to cause offensive or provocative feelings
Assault charges can sometimes be hard to prove, especially if they center around threats or minor physical contact. The prosecution might be willing to work with a criminal defense attorney to drop or reduce charges under certain circumstances.
A conviction requires evidence showing:
- An assault occurred.
- The accused party was the perpetrator.
- They acted intentionally or knowingly (or recklessly if injuries occurred).
- It was not self-defense.
Some types of evidence used to convict offenders of assault include:
- Eyewitness testimony
- Video footage of the incident
- Relevant medical records of the victim
What Happens If I Am Convicted of Assault in Southlake, Texas?
The consequences you might face if convicted of a Southlake assault depend greatly on how they charge the offense. Because of the range of actions that fall under the state’s assault laws, the severity of this offense can vary widely. If you face assault charges, they could vary from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. The sentences possible could vary from a fine to spending the rest of your life behind bars.
Often, our Southlake assault attorneys work to reduce the severity of the charges our clients face. This is one approach that could bring a more desired case result. However, this may not be the right defense strategy in your case.
When facing a misdemeanor assault charge, the potential penalties for a conviction could include:
- Class C Misdemeanor: $500 fine
- Class B Misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine
- Class A Misdemeanor: Up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine
More serious assault charges, such as when someone suffers severe injuries, are generally charged as felonies. Penalties that come with these convictions are more serious. In addition to a $10,000 fine, they could include:
- State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years in jail
- Third-degree felony: Two to 10 years in prison
- Second-degree felony: Two to 20 years in prison
- First-degree felony: Five to 99 years in prison
Having additional details about the case elevate your charges is also possible. For example, some circumstances could lead prosecutors to pursue aggravated assault charges. When this occurs, and there is a conviction, you could face additional penalties.
A conviction can also affect your daily life in many ways, even if you do not spend years behind bars. You could lose your professional license, it may be difficult to pass a background check for certain jobs, and even renting an apartment could become more challenging. When possible, it is always best to avoid facing charges or to avoid a conviction. However, sometimes, the best case result is the one that limits the penalties you face.
How Can Attorney Randall B. Isenberg Help My Southlake Assault Case?
As a former senior chief felony prosecutor and state district trial judge, Attorney Randall B. Isenberg understands how the criminal prosecution and justice system works from the inside out. With help from his team and other criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, he works to get more favorable outcomes for clients facing assault allegations and charges in Southlake.
We handle assault and family violence cases regularly, as our case results show. We know how prosecutors approach these charges, the evidence the police gather to show what happened, and how we can counter the allegations.
Some of the criminal defense strategies we might use in these cases include:
- Convincing prosecutors not to move forward with charges
- Showing someone else was the perpetrator, so the judge dismisses the charges
- Working to have key evidence barred from court
- Negotiating a plea agreement to reduce the severity of the charge
- Agreeing to a sentencing deal to reduce the jail time in exchange for a guilty verdict
- Presenting strong evidence so the jury cannot convict the client “beyond a reasonable doubt,” clearing their name
Which of these defense strategies, or any number of others, works best in your case will depend on the case facts and other circumstances. Our team will review the details of the incident and your arrest. By understanding everything that occurred, we can develop an approach suitable for your case.
Discuss Your Southlake Assault Case With Our Criminal Defense Attorney
At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we do not believe accusations, an arrest, or a single mistake should derail your career, education, or daily life. We will fight for a favorable outcome in your case, whatever that might look like. You can learn more during your initial consultation with our team.
Contact us as soon as possible after your arrest to learn how we can help with legal representation. Call or use our online contact form today.
