If you are charged with family assault in Frisco, TX, it is also crucial to know what the law has to say about that crime. This is a serious offense in the state of Texas because it falls in the category of domestic violence, and its legal implications may be very adverse. You should get to know everything about the charges against you as well as your rights. A Frisco assault attorney can guide you through this painful experience and ensure that your defense strategy is laid out.
What is Family Assault?:
Family assault, known as domestic assault, is one person inflicting, or attempting to inflict, injury to another family member. This can be anyone who resides in your house, be it a spouse, child, or even someone you are dating. Texas law does not mandate the assault to inflict an injury. That means even if you threatened someone or offended the person with a physical act, that is considered family assault. Another important fact is that assault can refer to pushing a person, slapping someone, or verbally threatening to injure someone.
Types of Charges for Family Assault:
In Texas, family assault may be classified as a misdemeanor or felony. Generally, though, family assault is classified as a Class A misdemeanor. This means that if you are convicted, you could face up to one year in jail or a fine of up to $4,000. However, if you have a prior conviction for family assault, the charge can be raised to a felony. It may be a third-degree felony with a punishment of 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. In case the assault involved choking or suffocation, it would be upgraded to a second-degree felony with a potential prison term of up to 20 years.
Consequences of a Family Assault Conviction:
A family assault conviction may be a life sentence. Once convicted, you can end up in jail, face substantial fines, and may bear the stigma of a permanent criminal record. A conviction can affect your ability to work, get housing, or even keep your children. Beyond the legal ramifications, the emotional impact of a family assault conviction can be devastating.
What Makes Family Assault Different?
The case of family assault in Texas is prosecuted more seriously compared to other assaults. The state recognizes the law that violence that occurs within the household setting can be severe. This, therefore, has to be handled with the maximum protection for a victim who, in most cases, are people accompanied by their children. In cases of family assault, the court may impose a protective order to keep you away from the victim. This may restrict your entry to your home, your children, or other members of your family. Violating a protective order can have much worse legal penalties.
How Can an Attorney Assist Me?
When you are accused of family assault, retaining an experienced Frisco assault family violence attorney is vital. An attorney will explain what charges you face and help you from here. They can fight to counter-evidence against you, thus lowering any severe punishment against you. They can bargain with the court or even reduce charges based on specific conditions. In more serious cases, they can also attempt to have your charges dismissed in case the evidence is weak.
What makes the difference is the well-experienced attorney; otherwise, it seems close to impossible without it when it comes to protecting rights and decreasing the impact of such charges.
The threat of family assault in Frisco is always very threatening because of its grave nature that causes serious problems even when committed as a felony offense. Therefore, one should first understand what family assault is and how such offenses are handled by law courts. Facing the charges of assault on a family member requires representation from a dedicated Frisco family violence assault lawyer. It should not be daunting for you to seek such attorneys’ services to ease the way into the complicated systems of law while fighting for your case.
