Assault charges in Houston and any other city or US state must not be taken lightly, as they could lead to harsh imprisonment charges and massive fines. In extremely severe cases, the accused could even face the death penalty in certain states.
Hiring a reliable Houston assault lawyer is the first thing to do if you are ever entangled in an assault case in the city. They have the skills, experience, and unmatched expertise to thoroughly examine the evidence against you and formulate a strategic defense.
The following is a list of the different assault types in Houston and what they essentially mean.
- Simple Assault
In Texas, a “simple” assault is where the act of violence did not result in any physical injury or harm. In other words, if you threatened or touched someone in a way they considered offensive or proactive, it is a simple assault case. It is among the common Houston assault cases. Penalties in these cases include up to a year in jail along with fines of approximately $4,000 or more.
- Assault with a Deadly Weapon
This type of case is a second-degree felony with penalties ranging from two to twenty years in jail. It applies when someone uses or displays a deadly weapon in the act of assault. Some of the items Texas law considers as deadly weapons include knives, explosive devices, firearms, clubs, and metal knuckles.
- Aggravated Assault
Simple assault cases can instantly become aggravated if the victim sustains grievous injuries and other severe bodily harm. Brandishing a deadly weapon during the commission of an assault also qualifies it as an aggravated one. Besides a potential jail term sentence ranging from two to twenty years, penalties may include massive fines as well.
- Domestic Violence
State laws define domestic violence as an assault against a family member, a current or past dating partner, or another household member such as a roommate. Several factors influence the sentencing in domestic violence cases, such as the relation of the accused to the victim, past convictions of such crimes, and whether suffocation or strangulation was involved. Those convicted of a class A misdemeanor threat may spend up to a year in county jail and face a fine of $4,000 or more.
- Assault Against a Public Official
Violence against public servants in Texas is taken extremely seriously, with such acts resulting in felony assault charges. Convictions in such cases can be severely harsh, getting you five to ninety-nine years in prison along with a fine up to $10,000 or more.
An assault where a public servant loses their life could result in the death penalty as well. Examples of public servants include an officer, a juror, an employee or notary performing government duty, and an attorney at law.
The Importance of Hiring an Assault Lawyer
Knowing how serious the repercussions of assault charges in Texas can be, it is of utmost importance that you hire a Houston assault lawyer immediately if accused. Assault lawyers have unbeatable expertise in the matter and can find critical details in your case that even you may not have noticed. Also, sometimes a plea bargain may seem like the easy way out, but it isn’t always the best possible solution. A lawyer can guide you through these tricky waters effectively.
So, ultimately, an able assault lawyer in Houston can mount an effective defense and get your charges reduced or even dropped entirely.
