Denton Aggravated Assault Lawyer

In Denton County and the state of Texas, aggravated assault crimes are seriously criminalized and penalized. From substantial time in prison to exorbitant fines, the criminal penalties imposed by the state are harsh, and a conviction can have a long-lasting negative impact on the life of a defendant. Therefore, if you are facing aggravated assault charges in Denton County, it is critical to get support from a loyal Denton aggravated assault lawyer from The Law Office of Earl Dobson.

At The Law Office of Earl Dobson, our dedicated legal team has been working with clients facing complex, severe assault charges. From addressing the questions and concerns of clients to breaking down the case details to find evidence proving innocence to finding inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence, our team works tirelessly to ensure our clients are informed and aware. We work diligently to create a strong legal strategy, aiming for the most favorable outcome.

What Is a Texas Assault Crime?

In order to understand the nature of aggravated assault crimes in Texas, it’s important to understand how assault is defined according to the Texas Penal Code. In Texas, assault is inflicting or threatening to inflict bodily injury on another individual or that individual’s spouse on purpose. Assault charges can also apply if the assault occurred as a result of reckless behavior.

Touching a person or establishing physical contact with them in spite of knowledge or reason to believe that the contact would be considered provocative or offensive is also considered to be a Texas assault crime. Based on this existing framework of the definition of assault, aggravated assault crimes can be defined as those that include the aforementioned factors but include further circumstances that increase the crime classification from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Breaking Down Aggravated Assault Crimes in Denton County, Texas

The difference between a conviction for a Texas assault crime and an aggravated assault crime can be years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. These important differences in crime classifications can also potentially cost a defendant their reputation and negatively impact their personal and professional lives. Aggravating factors that elevate a crime to be “aggravated assault” include:

• Severe Bodily Harm Caused. If an assault case results in bodily injury that is particularly severe to a victim of a crime or their spouse, then this is considered to be an aggravated assault crime.
• Use of a Deadly Weapon. If a deadly weapon is used or brandished during an assault crime, this is an aggravating factor that can elevate the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony assault charge.

Aggravated assault crimes are generally classified as second-degree felonies, but they can be classified as a felony to the first degree if there are particularly aggravating factors. An example would be committing aggravated assault as a part of a mass shooting. Some other examples of first-degree aggravated assault felonies include:

• Using a deadly weapon during an instance of assault results in a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury that leaves the victim in a permanent vegetative state.
• An assault case is carried out in retaliation against an individual for reporting or being witness to a crime.
• The victim of the assault is a public servant who was in the midst of carrying out their official duties or in retaliation to the public servant exercising their power. The perpetrator must have known that the victim was a public servant for the case to be considered aggravated assault.
• Assault cases in which the perpetrator is in a dating relationship with the victim and causes serious bodily injury. Such cases can be domestic violence cases. In order to determine whether the perpetrator and victim had a dating relationship, the judge will take into account the nature of the relationship and the length of the relationship.
• The perpetrator is a public servant who carries out the offense under the guise of being on duty.

Other aggravated assault crimes that are considered to be first-degree felonies include drive-by shootings at buildings from motor vehicles from which a person suffers major bodily harm. If you have been charged with aggravated assault in Denton County, a dedicated attorney from The Law Office of Earl Dobson can evaluate the details of your case and inform you about your options. They can take into account all of the details associated with your arrest and detainment to ensure that your rights have not been breached.

Criminal Penalties for Aggravated Assault Crimes

Aggravated assault crimes are characterized as first-degree or second-degree felonies, depending on the nature of the crime, including the relationship between the victim and perpetrator. A second-degree felony is less severe than a first-degree felony crime and involves a minimum sentence of 2 years, with up to 20 years in prison. A first-degree felony comes with a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum of 99 years in prison. Both first and second-degree felonies can be penalized with fines of up to $10,000.

For felony crimes, there are minimum prison sentences that must be carried out. Less severe, alternative sentencing options are not available for aggravated assault convictions. Therefore, it is important to have strong legal representation who can fight against your charges, working to get them dropped or reduced.

There are multiple strategies that can be employed for defense, including challenging the credibility of the evidence brought forward by the prosecution or arguing that the act was carried out in self-defense. Based on the details of your case, a Denton aggravated assault lawyer can help you develop a strong strategy for your defense.

A Denton Aggravated Assault Lawyer Who Has Your Back

At The Law Office of Earl Dobson, our legal team is here to provide you with a safe and nonjudgemental space where you can share your story and express all your concerns and questions related to your case. We will work with you through each step of your legal process to ensure that your rights are protected and a comprehensive defense is put forward on your behalf. From negotiating with the prosecution to arguing on your behalf in the courtroom, our legal team is here for you. Contact a Denton aggravated assault lawyer today to get started.