Houston Assault, Family Violence, Domestic Violence

The State of Texas is tough on assaults and domestic violence. That includes Houston and Harris County.

A first-time simple assault is a Class A misdemeanor and can result in up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. In some cases, a simple assault can be elevated to a felony.

A conviction for an assault, not to mention any family violence offense, can destroy your job, reputation, and relationships, not to mention possibly affecting your right to bear arms.

Criminal defense strategies may exist in your assault or domestic violence case, from challenging the admissibility of out-of-court statements to raising defense of self, others, or property. Because of numerous high-profile cases involving domestic abuse, from O.J. Simpson to Chris Brown, prosecutors have a "zero tolerance" policy toward domestic violence. This means that, if the complainant does not want to pursue charges, the prosecution can and almost surely will still proceed with the family violence charges. The prosecution can even force the complainant to testify if she does not want to.

Because of the challenges involved in a family assault case, it is especially important to have a qualified assault lawyer. Stradley, Davis & Reynal LLP has experience and expertise in assault and domestic violence cases. Many times, they have prevented assault offenses from being charged or has gotten assaults dismissed or reduced. They have won trials involving assault charges. Of course, every case is different and individual results may vary depending on the facts of the case.

Outline and effects of domestic violence

Domestic violence goes by various phrases, from family violence to spousal abuse. However, the offense in Texas goes by the legal name of "assault," which is a misdemeanor. Of course, an assault that occurs can be hazardous and psychologically demoralizing to the complainant.

There are several forms of domestic violence and it includes physical violence, emotional abuse, stalking, harassment and threatening calls. Partners involved in the domestic violence may be married, heterosexual, and homosexual, separated or dating.

In Texas, assault is treated very seriously. If you are charged for a domestic violence crime, you need a lawyer who understands the various defenses available. It is not just enough to call any criminal attorney in Houston Texas. You want someone who has handled and tried violent offenses. After all, would you want someone who's only read books about war, or someone who has actually fought, on your side?

In general, domestic violence is physically or emotionally aggressive behavior of one family member or by any other. The consequences for a domestic violence case can be severe, so you must be proactive in finding the best criminal lawyer in Houston, Texas, that you can afford. If you are being charged against with assault, do not wait to find a criminal lawyer.

Put aside the criminal consequences of an assault conviction. What about the other effects? On your job, your employment opportunities, or your educational opportunities? How about on your family? How will you explain an assault to your kids when they grow up and learn of your criminal history, which is available to anyone online at the Harris County District Clerk's Office?

Both men and women can be arrested by the police if they suspect a crime has been committed. The same goes for an assault. A police officer need not be an eyewitness. In fact, police usually are not eyewitnesses. Instead, they go by what another person tells them, such as a spouse or girlfriend claiming to have been assaulted

Given the seriousness of an assault case, you need a Houston criminal attorney who will defend your rights, fight aggressively, and get the best result he can.

Call the Stradley, Davis & Reynal LLP criminal law firm at 713-227-4444 to discuss your assault case. Stradley, Davis & Reynal LLP has dedicated its firm to defending people and businesses in all sorts of criminal law matters. The firm includes a former federal prosecutor, a former chief prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and an attorney who worked for over ten years at the criminal law office of legendary Texas criminal lawyer Dick DeGuerin. The firm’s zealous advocacy has led to an extraordinary record of success, earning the lawyers the hard-earned respect of their colleagues and ranking them among Texas' premier criminal lawyers.