Texas takes a firm stance against assaultive behavior, and a person can be severely punished if they are convicted of aggravated assault. You might go to jail or prison for a long time if convicted of aggravated assault, as this offense is charged as either a felony of the second degree or a felony of the first degree.
Felony convictions may force you to lose many of your rights, such as the right to bear arms, the right to vote, and the right to move freely. You may be placed on probation, be ordered to pay fines or restitution to the victim, or be ordered to complete community service hours. You may also deal with other nonlegal penalties.
If you are facing an aggravated assault charge, a Dallas aggravated assault lawyer may be able to help you with your case. They can give you legal advice, build a defense, and fight for your rights. Call the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg at (214) 696-9253 and tell us about your situation in a free case evaluation.
Aggravated Assault Charges in Texas Are Serious
An aggravated assault means that someone attacked another person and caused serious bodily injury or used a deadly weapon during the assault. This crime is elevated from a regular assault, which is a misdemeanor in most cases.
Aggravated assault is usually charged as a felony of the second degree. However, it can be charged as a felony of the first degree in some cases. For instance, according to the Texas Penal Code §22.02, a person may be charged with a felony of the first degree if they:
- Assault a police officer or public servant
- Are a public servant
- Are retaliating against a witness or informant
Felony offenses come with serious legal consequences, so it is important you take these charges seriously.
Legal Consequences of an Aggravated Assault Conviction
An aggravated assault conviction might lead you to face penalties for a felony of the second or first degree. These penalties can be severe.
According to the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, a felony of the first degree may result in:
- Imprisonment for life or between five and 99 years
- A fine up to $10,000
- Probation supervision, community service, and restitution to the victim if the defendant is a juvenile
A felony of the second degree may result in:
- Imprisonment between two and 20 years
- A fine up to $10,000
- Probation supervision, community service, and restitution to the victim if the defendant is a juvenile
Non-Legal Penalties of a Conviction
The legal consequences of a conviction can be intimidating, but they are not the only things you have to worry about if convicted of aggravated assault in Dallas. Even after your time is served, you might face lifelong issues. Difficulty securing employment is a problem many felons face, and you may find yourself struggling to find a good job and support yourself. If you cannot find a good job, you might also have trouble with maintaining financial stability.
People convicted of violent offenses might have trouble securing housing because a lot of housing complexes perform background checks of residents. You may also be ineligible for certain government programs. People with felony convictions may also have emotional struggles, having to deal with embarrassment, low self-esteem, and relationship issues.
A lawyer at our firm can help you defend against an aggravated assault charge. We believe all people deserve a fair defense, no matter the circumstances. We may be able to look at the circumstances of your case to devise a defense strategy for you. Defenses might be available that you do not know about because you might not be fully aware of the laws and your rights.
We May Be Able to Defend You Against a Violent Offense Charge
Many people just want to put their criminal charge case behind them. Some people may be tempted to just sign a plea agreement to settle the case, letting them do their time and put the stress behind them. However, signing a plea agreement without a lawyer’s advice might have the defendant accept a deal that is unfair to them.
A plea agreement might seem like the best option you have, but there might be other legal factors that might help defend your case. For example, if a police officer forgot to recite your Miranda rights to you upon arresting you for aggravated assault or obtained certain evidence illegally, you might be able to use those arguments to diminish or even eliminate your charges.
This is your life, and we encourage you to fight for it. You may have defense options in all situations. A Dallas aggravated assault lawyer may be able to help you build a defense for your case.
Here are a few examples of defenses that could be used:
Defense of Self or Others
If appropriate, you may be able to argue that you were acting in self-defense. If you were only using violence to protect yourself or someone else, we may argue that you were not committing a criminal act. Your lawyer may be able to gather evidence to prove that your actions were in self-defense.
Your Rights Were Violated
Some people charged with crimes get their charges dismissed because their rights were violated during their arrest or the court process. While this defense does not mean you were blameless, your case may be rejected by the court if your rights were violated.
Mistaken Identity
In some cases, a person might get arrested and charged with a crime, even if they were not a part of the crime. Sometimes, a person might get confused with someone else or are accused of committing a crime someone else committed.
Learn more about available defenses against aggravated assault charges by calling the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg. Dial (214) 696-9253 for a free case evaluation.
Get Legal Help from the Team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg
Getting charged with aggravated assault in Dallas, Texas, does not have to lead to a conviction. Your future is worth fighting for, but you do not have to fight alone. A lawyer can help you understand your rights. Our team can give you legal advice and work to improve your situation as much as possible. We may be able to fight against your charge and work hard to keep you out of jail.
A Dallas aggravated assault lawyer at our firm may lead your aggravated assault case and guide you through the criminal justice system. The Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg is ready to help defend against any conviction you might be facing in Texas. Call (214) 696-9253 to speak with a member of our legal team during a free consultation.
