Assault and murder are violent crimes, which means that they carry steep legal consequences that will almost undoubtedly pervade your personal life in a negative way. If you are facing a charge of assault or murder, you deserve representation from a lawyer who will be invested in the outcome of your case.
If you want to learn more about how a McKinney murder and assault lawyer may be able to help your defense, call our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 for a free consultation.
What Qualifies as Assault in McKinney?
According to Chapter 22.01 of the Texas penal code, a charge of assault may be levied if:
- You caused bodily injury to a person
- You threatened to cause bodily harm to a person in a way that appears imminent
- You touched or otherwise made contact with someone in a way that you knew or should have reasonably believed would be unwelcome (“offensive or provocative”)
The same section in the penal code defines a conviction for the above circumstances of assault as a Class A misdemeanor. However, you may be facing an assault charge that is a third-degree felony if:
- The person you allegedly assaulted is a public official, such as a law enforcement officer
- The person you allegedly assaulted is your spouse or family member
Certain aggravating circumstances, such as possessing a weapon at the time of the assault or intentionally restricting a person’s blood circulation or breathing, may result in you facing an assault charge that qualifies as a second-degree felony.
You may also face unique consequences if you are facing charges related to sexual assault, abandoning or endangering a child, injuring a child, or injuring an elderly or disabled person.
What Are the Consequences of an Assault Conviction?
If you are convicted of assault that qualifies as a Class A misdemeanor, your punishment could include:
- Up to 1 year in jail
- A fine of up to $4,000
If you are facing an assault charge that qualifies as a third-degree felony, then your punishment, if convicted, may include:
- Up to 10 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
If you are facing an assault charge that is a second-degree felony, you could face:
- Up to 20 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
Beyond the direct legal ramifications of being convicted of assault—steep as those consequences are—you may face additional consequences of your conviction after being released from lockup and paying your fines that continue throughout your life. Those consequences could include:
- Difficulty obtaining employment
- Difficulty obtaining housing
- Low self-esteem related to the consequences of your conviction
- Difficulty obtaining custody of or visitation with any children you may have
- Permanent damage to your personal reputation
- Loss of voting rights
- Loss of your right to own a firearm
Do not underestimate the stakes of an assault conviction, regardless of which category of crime that your assault charge falls into.
You may want to seek assistance from a McKinney murder and assault lawyer so that preparation for your defense can begin as soon as possible. Call our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 for a free consultation.
What Qualifies as Murder in McKinney?
Murder, known in Chapter 19 of the Texas penal code as “criminal homicide”, is the most serious criminal charge that you can face. This section of the penal code defines somebody as guilty of murder if they cause the death of another person “intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence.”
The forms of criminal homicide are:
- Capital murder
- Murder
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Manslaughter
The various forms of murder range in criminal classification from capital felony to second-degree felony.
What are the Consequences of a Murder Conviction?
If you are facing a capital murder charge, you are facing possible execution should you be convicted. For a first-degree murder conviction, possible sentencing includes:
- Between 5 years and life in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
For a murder charge that qualifies as a second-degree felony, your potential punishment may include:
- Up to 20 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
The secondary consequences of a murder conviction may be nearly impossible for you to shake, as those who are labeled murderers may carry a significant stigma with them throughout the rest of their lives.
How a McKinney Murder and Assault Lawyer May Be Able to Help You
If you are facing any criminal charge, you may want to have a lawyer on your side. If you are facing a criminal charge that involves violence or the threat of violence, this may be especially true.
There are several ways in which a McKinney murder and assault lawyer may be able to assist you, including:
- Counseling you on the facts of your case and the options you have for mitigating the potential punishment that you could receive.
- Exploring plea agreement options that are available to you and providing advice on the relative strength or weakness of those offers.
- Collecting evidence related to your case, with a keen eye toward evidence that could exculpate you from the charges you face.
- Ensuring that you are not railroaded by any prosecutor or judge—in other words, defending your rights.
- If your case goes to trial, putting forth a case contesting the prosecution’s theory of your guilt.
- Handling any appeals that are necessary for your case.
- Serving as your legal representative through the entirety of your case.
You may prefer to have somebody who practices law for a living by your side as you face a potentially high-stakes trial or plea negotiation. Our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg may be able to assist you.
Call Our Team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg Today
Lead attorney Randall B. Isenberg has 30-plus years’ experience as a former prosecutor, state district judge, and attorney. Call our team at the Law Offices of Randall B. Isenberg today at (214) 696-9253 for a free consultation regarding your charges and prospective defense.
