Domestic Violence Crimes In Texas
An act of family violence is a very serious crime which requires the intervention of a qualified domestic violence attorney in Plano, TX. A person has committed domestic assault if he assaults a family member, a household member, or a current or past romantic partner.
The Crime Of Continuous Violence Against The Family
In Texas, you can be convicted of a third-degree felony called continuous violence against the family, if you commit two domestic assaults within twelve months. It does not matter whether you were convicted of the previous accusations or whether those accusations involved the same alleged victim.
Penalties For Family Violence Crimes In Plano, Texas
Domestic violence crimes are punishable according to the severity of the charges, which can increase according to aggravating factors:
- Class A misdemeanor: up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4,000
- Third-degree felony: two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- Second-degree felony: two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- First-degree felony: five to 99 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
Officers responding to a domestic dispute are expected to make an arrest. Often, mistakes are made and an innocent person is s labeled the aggressor. In this situation, you need the assistance of an experienced family violence attorney in Plano, TX to help you present what really happened. If you are convicted for a domestic violence crime, it will have a devastating effect on your life, hindering employment opportunities, preventing professional licensing, and even interfering with your access to your children.
Possible Defenses Against Domestic Violence Crimes In Texas
Defenses to domestic violence crimes depend on the relationship between the victim and the accused, the nature of the offense, past incidences of family violence, and general criminal history:
- Innocence: In order to present the defense of innocence, the credibility of the accuser will have to be challenged by your Plano, TX domestic violence attorney.
- Self-Defense: In Texas, using force is justified when you reasonably believe that level of force is necessary in order to protect yourself against another person’s use of unlawful force. Verbal provocation does not rise to the level of threat that is required to lawfully physically defend yourself in Texas.
- Defense Of Another Person: If you reasonably believe that your intervention is necessary in order to protect another person, the assault you committed may have been justified. Be honest when you discuss all the aspects of your domestic violence case with your family violence attorney in Plano, TX, so that he or she can formulate a plan for your effective defense.
Experienced Plano Domestic Violence Attorney
For alleged domestic violence offenders, securing the representation of a highly skilled lawyer is imperative. Attorney Carl Ceder has helped many Texans who were accused of family violence crimes. He knows exactly how to fight for your rights. If you have been arrested for domestic violence, do not wait to call Attorney Ceder.
Call For A Free Consultation
(469) 900-0000