Family member assault is a serious offense in Texas, and you could face strict penalties if convicted of a violent crime. In addition to legal penalties, a conviction could turn your life upside down. You could face hefty fines, go to jail, lose your job, struggle with relationships, and deal with other disruptions.
But you don’t have to accept a charge on your record without putting up a fight. You have rights under Texas law when charged with assault. A Richmond assault defense lawyer from Blass Law can help you explore your legal options and the best way to win after a criminal charge in Texas.
How Can a Richmond Family Member Assault Attorney Help You?
Texas has laws related to assault, and a Richmond assault lawyer knows the laws inside and out. They can help you understand the charge you are facing and the possible penalties associated with a conviction.
An assault attorney serving Richmond understands your rights. They can protect them and watch out for your best interests throughout the process of your case.
A Richmond criminal defense lawyer can also help by defending you against conviction of a violent offense. For instance, they can investigate your incident and look for possible defenses against conviction. They can also look for ways to improve your case or get you the best possible outcome.
Possible Defenses for Family Member Assault Charges in Richmond
When investigating your case, your Richmond family member assault attorney can gather evidence that supports your defense. You should not give up without exploring every possible option. Some possible defenses against family member assault include:
Self-Defense
One possible defense when charged with assault is self-defense. You have the right to use reasonable force to defend yourself if someone attacks you. If you were acting in self-defense, your lawyer can work to demonstrate this to the court.
Defense of Others
You could also assert that you were protecting others from harm. Like self-defense, you have the right to protect others when they are in danger. Your lawyer can gather evidence demonstrating you were attempting to protect others from harm using reasonable force.
Defense of Property
You are also allowed to use reasonable force to protect personal property. Your lawyer can work to show that this is the case if you were defending your belongings.
Consent
If someone consents to a particular act, it may not be an assault.
Innocence
One defense against an assault conviction is innocence. Sometimes, family members may accuse each other of violent acts they did not perform. One family member could purposely try to get another person into trouble out of anger or desire for revenge.
Possible Penalties for Family Member Assault in Richmond
The penalties you could face if convicted of assault in Richmond, Texas will depend on the circumstances of your case and whether you have a history of other violent offenses (Texas Penal Code § 22).
For instance, an assault can be a misdemeanor, or it could be charged as a felony in certain circumstances.
Per the Office of the Texas Attorney General, potential penalties for misdemeanors and felonies in Texas are as follows:
- Class C Misdemeanor – Penalty includes a fine of up to $500.
- Class B Misdemeanor – Penalties include up to $2,000 in fines, confinement in jail for not more than 180 days, or both.
- Class A Misdemeanor – Penalties include up to $4,000 in fines, confinement in jail for not more than one year, or both.
- State Jail Felony – Penalties include confinement in state jail between 180 days and two years and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Third-Degree Felony – Penalties include imprisonment for a term between two and ten years and a fine of up to $10,000.
- Second-Degree Felony – Penalties include imprisonment for a term between two and 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
- First-Degree Felony – Penalties include imprisonment for a term between five and 99 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Life Impact of a Family Member Assault Conviction
Being charged with assault on a family member is frightening. It can affect your life in many ways. For starters, it can impact your family relationships—and not just between you and the person you are accused of assaulting. A criminal conviction can impact you in the following ways:
Loss of Freedom
Being convicted of a crime can mean the loss of your physical and personal freedom. Going to jail or prison means losing your ability to move freely, enjoy life, engage in meaningful relationships, enjoy activities, and so much more.
Job Loss
Convictions go on your criminal record as a punishment for your crime. This record hurts your job prospects and can even cause you to lose your job. You could struggle to secure employment for a long time. Some job opportunities could even be permanently closed off from you, depending on the severity of a charge and conviction.
Financial Upset
A conviction that results in job loss or difficulty securing employment or higher-paying jobs can cause financial struggles for you now and in the future. Fines can also be an enormous burden.
Embarrassment
A criminal conviction could result in a tremendous amount of embarrassment. Having a conviction on your record can affect your self-esteem and happiness.
Reach Out for Legal Assistance With a Family Member Assault Case in Richmond
As you can see, a conviction of assault in Texas is serious. You should take this charge seriously and reach out to an assault law firm for help. An assault attorney in Richmond can analyze every detail of your case to help you seek the best possible outcome. They can assist you with every step of the process of dealing with a criminal charge.
Attorney Jay Cohen is a Richmond family member assault lawyer with extensive experience handling criminal defense cases like yours. Reach out to our firm to receive a confidential case assessment and learn more about how Jay and the rest of our team can help you today.