The consequences for a domestic violence charge in Carrollton, TX can include thousands of dollars in fines, jail or prison time, and a permanent criminal record. At the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg, we understand how these cases can disrupt your family, your work schedule, and other aspects of your life for years to come. This is not an easy situation to face, and you want a legal team that is prepared to defend your rights and your future.
Attorney Randall B. Isenberg has over three decades of experience as a criminal defense lawyer in Carrollton, state district court judge, and felony prosecutor. Let him put his experience to work for you. We offer free consultations to help you learn how a Carrollton domestic violence lawyer can assist you with your case.
Those Who May Face Domestic Violence Charges
A person can be charged with domestic violence in Texas if they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause injury to or threaten to injure another individual with whom they have a current or former familial or domestic relationship.
According to Texas Penal Code § 22.01, this includes “intentionally or knowingly [causing] physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.” Texas’ laws outline three distinct types of domestic violence:
- Domestic assault
- Aggravated domestic assault
- Continuous violence against the family
Texas Family Code § 71.003 defines family as:
- Current or former spouses
- Current or former dating partners
- Parents of the same child (including foster parents or stepparents)
- Relatives, either blood or adoptive
- Individuals who live together, regardless of their relationship
You can only face domestic violence charges if you have one of these relationships with the victim. If we can prove your relationship does not fall into one of these categories, the severity of your charges could decrease. This is because family violence often includes aggravating circumstances that increase the penalties associated with a conviction.
How a Domestic Violence Conviction Can Impact Your Life
The consequences of a Carrollton domestic violence conviction can vary based on which charge you face, your previous record, and other details of your case. However, Carrollton domestic violence convictions may carry the following consequences:
- Revocation of firearm licenses
- Restitution to the victim, including paying for therapy
- Community supervision
- Between $500 and $10,000 in fines
- Up to life in prison (for a felony charge)
Domestic violence charges can vary in severity from a misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. The range of charges is one reason we highly recommend seeking guidance from a domestic violence lawyer in Carrollton who can work to reduce the consequences you face.
Your case’s outcome can affect almost every aspect of your life. You could lose your job, lose friends, and struggle to maintain other personal relationships. You may or may not be able to salvage a relationship with the alleged victim, depending on the situation and circumstances. A conviction could also affect a current or future child custody case.
Reducing the charges against you, avoiding a conviction, or taking other actions to get a better outcome in your case could help you avoid criminal penalties and the social, economic, and psychological effects of having a record and possibly serving time in prison or facing significant fines.
How a Domestic Violence Lawyer Can Help with Your Case
You should never take domestic violence charges lightly. Even a seemingly minor altercation can result in lifelong consequences that can impact where you can live and your ability to secure employment in years to come. Juries take these charges very seriously, so you could face significant consequences for what you believe was a relatively minor interaction or disagreement.
The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg can help protect your future by:
- Analyzing the evidence in your case
- Building a defense strategy based on your case’s details, including the available evidence, whether you were defending yourself, and the arrest process
- Defending your case in a Texas court
- Working to reduce the charges you face if an acquittal is unlikely
- Appealing a conviction if the details of your case support this strategy
Your domestic violence lawyer in Carrollton, TX works as your advocate throughout the legal process. Our team will answer your questions, help you understand the outcome of the charges you face, and work to reduce the impact these charges may have on your future.
We can go to work on your case as soon as you decide you want a lawyer’s help to get a positive outcome in your case. You can connect with us or have a trusted loved one reach out to us as necessary. We will discuss how we can help and go to work protecting your rights immediately.
Common Defense Strategies in Domestic Violence Cases
In Texas, you can be arrested for domestic violence with very little proof. All too often, false allegations land people in jail for crimes they did not commit or charges that never pan out. This can be frightening, but it does not guarantee a conviction. Your legal team will build a defense for these charges and work to get a better outcome in your case, such as:
- Preventing you from facing charges
- Reducing the severity of the charges you face
- Getting evidence against you thrown out
- Helping you qualify for a diversionary program, if possible
- Clearing your name
- Negotiating a plea or sentencing deal
Depending on your situation, defense strategies will differ. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to fighting domestic violence allegations. Some ways we may be able to defend you and win your case might include proving:
- Police engaged in an illegal search and seizure
- You acted in self-defense or defense of another person
- The injury was unintentional
- The allegations against you are false
Our goal is to work with you and help you protect your freedom, reputation, and future. We are here to protect your rights and fight for a better outcome in your case than you could get on your own. This could include offering advice, support, and advocacy in and out of court. We may also be able to handle appeals, reinstatement of rights, and other actions after the conclusion of your initial case.
Talk to a Member of Our Legal Team Today
Domestic violence charges can have a long-term impact on your life. You want to work with an attorney who can fight for your future. Our team is ready to discuss the circumstances of your arrest and how we may be able to help. Let us assess your case for you.
Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today for a free case review. We want to help you get a positive outcome in your case.