Domestic Violence Lawyer

---

Arguments become heated.  Sometimes the police need to be called, and sometimes they don't. In Collin, Dallas, or Denton Counties, you can be fairly sure that someone is going to jail when the police are called. Many times, the only reason 911 is dialed is because someone wants the police to come and "de-escalate" the situation.  That usually doesn't happen.   The police will almost always take someone to jail for a domestic violence call.      

Assault / Family Violence can be charged as a Class C or a Class A misdemeanor, or it can be escalated to a Felony.

A Class C misdemeanor charge is handled at the municipal level in a city court.  It is usually listed as an "Assault by Contact / Family Violence.   This may seem less serious, but ANY finding of family violence will have severe collateral consequences.   

A Class A Family Violence charge is handled at the county court level and the range of punishment is up to a year in jail and up to a 4000.00 fine.   

The biggest difference in a Class A and a Class C charge is that a Class A charge involves some sort of bodily injury.   Bodily injury basically means "pain."  There doesn't have to be a bruise or a mark or blood.   Even so much as a hair pull, or a shove will count as a bodily injury if it produced ANY pain.  

If the complaining person says that they were choked, or that you blocked their nose or mouth, then the charge becomes a Felony and is charged as Assault / Family Violence Impeding breath.   This carries a range of punishment of 2-10 years in prison and/or a fine of 10,000.00.   

There are defenses to a domestic violence charge.  

Self Defense - You have the right to defend yourself against an attacker.

Defense of others - you are allowed to protect someone else who is being attacked.

Consent - When the other party consents to a fight, then you may have a defense to an assault charge. 

We Can Help You.

The goal in a family violence case is a refusal, a dismissal, an acquittal, or a reduction to anything other than family violence.   Penalties for family violence convictions are extremely harsh.  We will put you on a path to help ensure the best possible outcome to your case.  

Jail Release

If someone you know or love has just been arrested for Assault Family Violence, then call us.  We can help you get them out quickly.  

Protective Order

If you or your loved one have already been released, then call us to set up an appointment to meet and talk about the case.    Many times, there are harsh "conditions of bond," or a protective order that will prevent you from seeing your family.   We can help with this.