3 Things You Need to Know If You’re Charged With Aggravated Assault, Texas

Anyone who lives in Texas can find themselves facing an assault charge if their actions intentionally cause harm to someone. Texas courts have some of the highest conviction rates in the nation and criminal offenses in the state can alter your life forever. Texas is no place to take assault charges lightly.

The consequences for aggravated assault in Texas are often extended jail time or expensive fines. If a person gets convicted of assault in Texas, they will lose certain rights like the ability to own or carry a firearm. A conviction of assault on your record can also make it difficult to find employment with most companies, and even impact your ability to rent or purchase a home.

Are you or someone you know facing an assault charge in Texas? Continue reading to learn about the consequences of aggravated assault, Texas. Understanding the consequences can help you build a proper defense for your case.

Defining Aggravated Assault in Texas

In the state of Texas, aggravated assault is defined as any action from a person that knowingly or recklessly causes serious injury to another. This could result from the use of a deadly weapon or having physical contact while knowing the action is provocative or offensive. This can also include threatening to injure someone.

A person can also get charged with aggravated assault if there is an altercation with a specific protected group. This would include police officers, emergency response personnel, elderly people, and public servants. Others who are included with this group are people with disabilities, judges, and security personnel.

Assault charges can be worse if the situation includes any injuries that send someone to the hospital. While many assaults can be ruled as misdemeanors, certain circumstances can elevate them to more serious aggravated assaults. Aggravated assault is classified a second-degree felony in the state of Texas and can carry jail time that lasts up to 20 years.

What to Do When Facing Charges in Texas

Don’t make the mistake of assuming assault charges are easy to defend. Charges of aggravated assault are never to be taken lightly in any situation. It is crucial to find an experienced lawyer with a strong criminal defense background as soon as possible. A lawyer will represent you in all legal proceedings and communications with authorities.

A criminal defense lawyer will also protect your rights and explain what is your best defense options and how the law can affect your case. There are many other benefits to having a defense lawyer with you if you’re about to face charges of aggravated assault.

A skilled lawyer will help gather evidence to support your version of the events that transpired. They can also guide you with advice on how to go about your life while your case is pending.

An experienced defense lawyer can determine if law enforcement violated any of your rights in any significant way before, during, or after your arrest. All this can help you and your lawyer build a case that may help lead to a judge ruling in your favor.

As they work on your case, your lawyer may claim you were acting in self-defense. Self-defense is a common defense with cases that involve physical harm to you or your family. You can say that you tried to prevent further harm by taking action to defend yourself from an attacker.

Other possible defenses that might be applicable to aggravated assault include but are not limited to duress or coercion, intoxication, and non-criminal intent. Each one is situational and may or may not get applied to a case.

A Lifetime of Penalties For Aggravated Assault

If you are convicted of 2nd-degree felony aggravated assault in Texas the consequences can be very harsh. Leading to harsh penalties and significant after-effects in a person’s life.

A minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years prison time can occur. This also comes with fines and restitution as part of the sentence. In the worst-case scenario, a person can lose a significant part of their life if convicted.

A conviction can also have detrimental effects on your ability to find work and make you ineligible for certain programs that grant help for things like student loans. Other factors from an aggravated assault conviction can negate your ability to own any firearms or vote in elections.

The amount of a fine when convicted can reach a total of $10,000. The total amount you face in fines can change, depending on if your case has you convicted and there are other factors that influence the verdict.

This would also factor in the assault with prior convictions or continuous family violence brought before the judge.

Understanding the Law on Assault

Texas courts can be a brutal place for anyone facing charges. Still, the law states we are all innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof is on the prosecution and an experienced assault attorney could be your best chance at protecting your future. Nobody wants to find themselves arrested for a crime, but that doesn’t mean you’re guilty.

Looking for a criminal defense lawyer for you or a friend in Texas? Visit the Non Stop Justice website to contact Texas criminal defense attorney Andrea M. Kolski for a review of your case. With a winning track record of over 20 years in Texas courts, criminal justice attorney Andrea M. Kolski has won countless cases and dismissals for her clients. You owe it to yourself and your future to hire the best. Call today.