Family Violence, Domestic Violence, Domestic Abuse, Dating Violence, Etc.
If you are arrested on any kind of family violence charge in Texas, you need a lawyer as soon as possible. You cannot hope to convince someone not to press charges. The county or district attorney will likely still proceed with charges even if the complaining witness refuses to cooperate.
Texas Family/Domestic Violence Law
In Texas, domestic violence is often known as "family violence," but it technically encompasses more than that. Domestic violence charges can involve accusations of either family violence or dating violence. The punishments are the same regardless of whether the person who complained of assault is a family relation.
As we mentioned earlier, it is very important to know that having someone "drop the charges" will not free you from the charges. This has not been possible since the law was changed in 1992. Even if the person who was allegedly attacked refuses to cooperate, the police and the county or district will continue to proceed. The only course of action is to quickly get the protection of an attorney.
Possible Punishments
A first offense of domestic violence is a Class A Misdemeanor, which can bring up to a year in county jail and a $4,000 fine if you are convicted. Perhaps even worse, a first conviction will open you up to the possibility of being charged down the road with a second offense.
Conviction of a second domestic violence offense can be a third-degree felony, which means up to 10 years of confinement in the state penitentiary, plus a $10,000 fine.
How I Can Help
I know how to defend people accused of dating or family violence. I can dispute the evidence, by contacting witnesses and building a case. Often times by doing this, I am able to negotiate a lesser offense or negotiate a deferred prosecution. When necessary, I am more than willing and capable to take the case to trial in order to win the case. I have tried these cases as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer on both the felony and misdemeanor level.
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