Houston/Harris County Assault Lawyer
Providing Aggressive Defense for Assault Charges in Texas
It is important to understand that a person can still be guilty of assault even if the person did not intend to cause harm to another.
If the person should have reasonably believed that the contact would have been harmful or offensive then the person can be guilty of assault,as long as the person intended to make physical contact.
A more serious form of assault is “aggravated assault.” Under Texas’s statute, aggravated assault occurs if the person commits assault and causes serious bodily injury, including the person’s spouse; or uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault.
Don’t wait until it’s too late, let our Harris County assault attorney fight for your legal rights to make sure that you are not wrongfully convicted. We have extensive experience helping defendants fight all types of assault charges.
Penalties for Assault in Texas
Assault is a Class A misdemeanor, which carries a fine up to $4,000.00. Assault, however, can be raised to a third degree felony by impeding the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person ’s throat or neck or by blocking the person ’s nose or mouth or the offense is committed against:
- A public servant while lawfully discharging an official duty or acting in their official duty;
- A person who lives with the defendant, a blood relational, or a romantic partner;
- A security officer while the officer is performing a duty as a security officer;
- Emergency services personnel while the person is providing emergency services.
A third degree felony is punishable by a prison sentence from 2 years to 10 years and a fine up to $10,000. Under certain circumstances, a third degree felony assault charge can be raised to a second degree charge. A second degree charge carries a penalty from 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Aggravated assault also carries a second degree penalty. Aggravated assault, may be raised to a first degree felony under certain situations, such as using a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault and causes serious bodily injury to family member. A first degree penalty can result in a prison sentence from five years to 99 years or life in prison.
Defenses to Assault Charges
If one is facing assault charges, there are various defenses that our Harris County assault lawyers can raise.
These common defenses include:
- Self-defense
- Consent
- Privilege
- Mistake of law or fact
- Statute of limitations
- Age
- Insanity
Facing assault charges? Our Harris County assault attorney Adam Corral is here to help. Call us today, Se habla Español.