McKinney Aggravated Assault Lawyers
Attorneys Defending Clients Against Aggravated Assault Charges in McKinney, TX
While assault charges are often classified as misdemeanors, there are some situations where people may be charged with felony offenses based on aggravating factors. The penalties for a conviction for aggravated assault can be much more serious, and defendants in these cases may be at risk of being sentenced to prison for multiple years and being required to pay several thousand dollars in fines. By understanding the reasons that aggravated assault charges may apply and the options for defense, a person can work with an attorney to develop an effective defense strategy.
At Texas Defense Firm, our attorneys work with clients throughout McKinney, the region surrounding Dallas, and the entirety of North Texas to address violent crime charges and other types of offenses. We can advise clients of their options in these cases and make sure they take the right steps to defend against felony convictions. With our help, defendants can determine the best strategies that will allow them to put these matters behind them and move forward with their lives.
Experience You Can Trust
Criminal Defense Handled at Every Level
Whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a federal charge, our attorneys will work to build a strong defense strategy while protecting your rights.
Book Your Free Consultation
Why an Assault Charge May Become Aggravated Assault
Many of the most serious assault charges will involve injuries. While a person may be charged with simple assault based on accusations that they intentionally injured someone or caused an injury through recklessness, the charge may be elevated to aggravated assault if the harm a person has suffered is severe enough to be considered a "serious bodily injury." Aggravated assault charges may also apply if a person allegedly used a deadly weapon while committing assault.
The severity of a person's injuries can play a key role in an aggravated assault case. In general, an injury may be considered to be a serious bodily injury if it put someone at risk of death. An injury that led to a permanent disability, disfigurement, or long-term impairments that affected a person's daily life may also qualify.
Situations Where Serious Injuries Could Lead to Aggravated Assault Charges
A wide range of injuries can occur in situations where people become involved in fights or when a person is accused of purposely harming someone else. Some examples of situations where people may face aggravated assault charges based on serious bodily injuries include:
- A bar fight occurs in which one person suffers a broken bone that requires months or years of medical treatment and prevents them from working and performing daily activities during their recovery.
- A person is accused of purposely injuring someone and causing them to suffer a severe laceration on their face, leading to a permanent, disfiguring scar.
- A person allegedly put someone's life at risk by beating them to the point that they required hospitalization and surgery to address damage to their internal organs.
Penalties for an Aggravated Assault Conviction
In many cases, aggravated assault is classified as a second-degree felony. A person who is convicted may be sentenced to between two and 20 years in prison. The fines for a person convicted of a felony may be as high as $10,000.
Certain circumstances may lead to first-degree felony charges. In many cases, these will involve the identity of the alleged victim. A serious bodily injury to a police officer, firefighter, public school teacher, or another person who is considered to be a public servant may result in harsher penalties. A first-degree felony conviction may result in a sentence lasting from five to 99 years in prison.
Defense Strategies in Aggravated Assault Cases
As in other types of assault cases, a person who has been charged with aggravated assault may be able to show that they acted in self-defense. While the use of force is justified when a person is defending themselves or taking steps to protect someone else, the level of force used must be necessary to protect against imminent harm. Our lawyers can help clients determine whether it may be possible to demonstrate that their use of force was justified.
We may also challenge whether any injuries that led to assault charges can be classified as serious bodily injuries. We may take steps to show that an injury did not put someone at risk of being killed and that the alleged victim did not suffer long-term impairments, permanent disabilities, or disfigurement.
Contact Our McKinney, Texas Aggravated Assault Lawyers
At Texas Defense Firm, we can closely review the circumstances surrounding an aggravated assault charge. We will look at the evidence to determine what challenges may be possible, including arguing that a person's claims about serious injuries were exaggerated or showing that our client was incorrectly identified. We will determine whether self-defense may be a factor in a case, and we will obtain witness statements and other forms of evidence to ensure that we can show what actually happened and advocate for an outcome other than a conviction.
We understand that people who are facing aggravated assault charges are at risk of spending decades in prison and other harsh penalties. We fight to protect our clients' rights and develop effective defense strategies, helping them resolve their cases successfully. To set up a free consultation and get the legal help needed in a violent crime case, contact our McKinney aggravated assault defense attorneys at 972-369-0577. We are here to provide the compassionate representation needed from the beginning to the end of a criminal case.
