If you’re facing a criminal charge of assault, you may be aware that a conviction could affect you in many ways. It could cost you your freedom for some time and even limit your opportunities in the future. A conviction would affect your family, too.
Our firm can face your charge for you and fight for a dismissal of the charge or another better outcome. Our Cypress criminal defense lawyer, Jay Cohen, will craft a legal defense that takes into account your side of the story and all of the circumstances.
What Are the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction of Assault?
In Texas, if someone is convicted of assault, aggravated assault, or another kind of assault, they could face a misdemeanor or a felony conviction. There are major differences between the two types of convictions, and there are different levels of misdemeanors and felonies. The following is each type of conviction and the possible penalties for that type (as of 2023):
- Class A misdemeanor: Possibly a fine of four thousand dollars and/or jail time of up to a year
- Class B misdemeanor: Possibly a fine of a two thousand dollars and/or jail time of up to 180 days
- Class C misdemeanor: Possibly a fine of five hundred dollars (no jail time)
- First-degree felony: Potentially jail time of at least five years and up to 99 years, and a fine of ten thousand dollars
- Second-degree felony: Potentially jail time of at least two years and up to 20 years, and a fine of ten thousand dollars
- Third-degree felony: Potentially jail time of at least two years and up to ten years, and a fine of ten thousand dollars
There Can Be Additional Consequences, Too
A conviction could affect you in many other ways. You could face:
- Job loss and difficulty getting a job in the future
- Difficulty getting a loan
- Trouble getting housing
- Denied admission into educational programs
- Loss of custody of your children
It could also affect your family, and if you’re convicted of an additional charge, there could be additional effects.
Why Should I Hire a Cypress Assault Defense Lawyer?
Since a conviction can be so severe, you should do everything you can to avoid it. Hiring our firm’s lawyer may be one of the best things you can do.
Cypress criminal defense attorney, Jay Cohen, will work to avoid the conviction or find another better outcome with a legal defense that takes into account your side of the story and all of the circumstances. Your defense(s) could be very similar to any of the following common defenses or another defense:
- Inconsistent testimony: Your lawyer can obtain copies or recordings of the written or verbal statements made against you and then scrutinize those statements for inconsistencies. Your lawyer can even interview and cross-examine witnesses in order to find inconsistencies or errors in their statements. Then, your lawyer will communicate the issues to a judge or jury in court.
- Insufficient evidence: Your lawyer will also examine the evidence against you. If after a thorough investigation, any remaining evidence isn’t sufficient, we will argue the case should be dismissed altogether.
- Illegally-obtained evidence: Some evidence against you may have been obtained illegally, such as by an illegal search of your home. In this case, your lawyer will argue the evidence is inadmissible and can’t be used.
- Innocence: There may be evidence that you’re completely innocent of any offense. A character witness may be able to provide an alibi for you or an expert witness may be able to testify for you.
- Self-defense: If the other party threatened your safety at all, your lawyer could argue that you defended yourself justly, according to Texas Penal Code § 9.31.
- Accidental: If you accidentally harmed the other party, your lawyer will argue your actions don’t constitute assault, per Texas Penal Code § 22.01.
There’s More Your Lawyer Can Do for You
Depending on your situation, you and your lawyer may decide to pursue another outcome. You could pursue:
- A plea deal and lesser consequences by pleading guilty to a misdemeanor
- A low bail amount
What Is the Most Common Argument of a Defense Attorney?
The most common argument tends to be that if a court has any reasonable doubt, they should not vote to convict the defendant. Your attorney will always use this argument in your case.
Why Should I Hire Attorney Jay Cohen?
Cypress assault defense attorney Jay Cohen has over 14 years of experience in criminal defense, so he has the experience you’re looking for in a defense attorney. Also, he has always been a criminal defense attorney and has never been a criminal prosecutor who fights to convict people like you, so he works only for people like you.
Jay also has a history of success with his clients and has defended many people in situations like yours. For instance, he defended a client accused of choking a witness and throwing them to the ground and was able to have the charge dismissed. You can read more about his successes on his case results page.
Additionally, Jay has certain certifications and memberships that should make you even more confident in his abilities. He is:
- Certified as an ACS-CHAL forensic lawyer-scientist
- Certified in forensic chromatography for alcohol and drugs
- A member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- A member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- A member of the Houston Bar Association
- A member of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association
Contact Us for Your Assault Defense Attorney in Cypress, Harris County
If you’re facing a criminal charge of assault, our firm can face your charge for you and fight for a dismissal or another outcome. Harris County defense attorney Jay Cohen will show you why he has been so successful with clients in similar situations.
In a simple consultation, we’ll tell you more about Jay and his experience. We’ll also review your case with you, advise you about it, and answer your questions. You deserve fair representation, so contact us today for a confidential consultation with Blass Law.