Were you arrested for assault in Dallas, Texas? Call Texas Defense Firm at (469) 365-2228 today to schedule a consultation. Our experienced Dallas assault defense attorneys can help you fight back against the prosecution.
We’re a highly respected Texas criminal defense law firm with over 200 years of combined legal experience. Our trial attorneys have handled all types of assault cases and understand how to build strong defenses that hold up in court. No matter how serious the allegations, we’re ready to stand up for you.
Why Choose Texas Defense Firm if You’ve Been Arrested for Assault in Dallas, TX?
When your freedom is on the line, you need a defense team with the experience, reputation, and dedication to take on the government’s case effectively. At Texas Defense Firm, we’ve helped countless clients defend themselves against criminal charges in Texas, and we’re confident we can do the same for you.
Here’s why clients trust our Dallas criminal defense attorneys:
- Over 200 years of combined legal experience across our team
- Track record of success in handling complex assault and violent crime charges
- Strong relationships with Dallas County prosecutors, judges, and court staff
- Aggressive, strategic defense focused on getting charges reduced or dismissed
- Clear communication so you always know where your case stands
- Personalized legal strategies tailored to your specific case facts
The State of Texas has significant resources to investigate and prosecute you. You need a legal team that knows how to push back. Contact our award-winning Dallas assault defense lawyers today to set up a consultation.
What Is Assault?
Under Texas Penal Code § 22.01, assault can happen in more than one way.
In general, you can be charged with assault if you:
- Cause bodily injury to another person on purpose, through recklessness, or with knowledge
- Threaten someone with imminent bodily injury
- Physically contact someone in a way that is provocative or offensive
That means you don’t have to throw a punch or leave a mark to face assault charges. Verbal threats or pushing someone during an argument could lead to an arrest if a witness or officer claims you crossed the line.
Texas law doesn’t separate assault and battery as some states do, meaning both are grouped under the same statute. It’s also important to understand that intent matters. If your actions were accidental or if you were acting in self-defense, that could be a valid response to the charges.
Aggravated Assault Charges in Texas
Some cases are charged more harshly as aggravated assault, which is a felony offense per Texas law.
You could face this charge if prosecutors believe:
- The victim suffered serious bodily injury, or
- You used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the assault
What counts as a deadly weapon? It could be a firearm, a knife, or even a blunt object like a bat or pipe, depending on how it was used. Threatening someone with a gun could also lead to aggravated assault charges.
Aggravated assault can be charged as a second-degree felony or a first-degree felony, based on the circumstances and the alleged victim. For example, if the alleged victim was a police officer, judge, or someone you live with, the state may pursue enhanced penalties.
Assault Can Also Be Charged as Domestic Violence
If the alleged victim is someone you have a domestic relationship with, your assault charge may also carry the label of “family violence.”
This can include:
- Spouses or ex-spouses
- Dating partners
- Roommates or household members
- Co-parents or relatives
A conviction for assault-family violence can come with even harsher penalties, such as:
- Loss of gun ownership rights under federal law
- Enhanced penalties for future arrests
- Damage to child custody rights or protective orders
- Mandatory counseling or anger management
Even a Class C misdemeanor with a “family violence” finding on your record can have long-term consequences that follow you for years. These cases are taken very seriously by Dallas-area prosecutors and judges.
What Are the Penalties for an Assault Conviction in Dallas?
The possible penalties for an assault conviction in Texas vary depending on the level of the charge and whether there are aggravating factors.
Simple assault (no serious injury or weapon involved) may be charged as:
- Class C misdemeanor: Up to $500 fine (usually for threats or offensive contact)
- Class B misdemeanor: Up to 180 days in jail and $2,000 fine (used for assault against someone like a security guard or service personnel)
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in jail and $4,000 fine (typically used when bodily injury is involved)
Aggravated assault, on the other hand, carries much more serious penalties:
- Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine
- First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison, plus up to $10,000 fine (often applied if the victim is a public servant or if a deadly weapon was used in a domestic case)
If you have prior convictions or if the court finds the assault was part of a pattern of behavior, the penalties may be even more severe.
What Are the Long-Term Collateral Consequences of an Assault Conviction?
A conviction for assault doesn’t just bring jail time or fines. It also creates a criminal record that can affect your life long after your sentence ends.
You may face:
- Difficulty finding a job or passing a background check
- Loss of professional licenses or certifications
- Immigration consequences if you’re not a U.S. citizen
- Barriers to housing, especially for felony convictions
- Problems with child custody, visitation, or divorce proceedings
- Loss of your right to possess a firearm, especially in domestic violence cases
The social stigma of being labeled a violent offender can follow you for years, and the damage to your reputation can be life-changing. That’s why it’s critical to build the strongest defense possible starting right now.
What Happens After You’re Arrested for Assault in Texas?
If you’ve never been arrested before, the criminal justice system can be overwhelming.
Here’s a brief look at what to expect in Dallas County:
- Arrest and booking: You may be taken into custody, fingerprinted, photographed, and held in jail until a bond hearing.
- Initial appearance and bail: A judge will determine whether you qualify for bail and set the conditions for your release.
- Arraignment: You’ll be formally informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest.
- Pretrial hearings: Your attorney can file motions to suppress evidence, challenge the arrest, or request a dismissal based on weaknesses in the case.
- Plea bargaining: In many cases, the prosecution and defense will negotiate a resolution. This may involve reducing the charges or penalties in exchange for a guilty plea.
- Trial (if necessary): If no agreement is reached, your case will go to trial, where both sides will present evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments to a judge or jury.
Throughout the process, our lawyers will protect your rights and work toward the best possible result. We’ll work hard to have your charges dismissed altogether if at all possible.
What Defenses Can I Raise Against Assault Charges in Dallas, Texas?
Just because you were arrested doesn’t mean the state has a successful case. In fact, the prosecution must prove every element of the assault charge beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s the highest burden of proof under the law.
Depending on the facts and circumstances of your case, one or more of the following defenses may apply:
- Self-defense: You had to use force to protect yourself from immediate harm
- Defense of others: You were protecting someone else from a threat
- Lack of intent: You didn’t act intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly
- Consent: The alleged victim voluntarily agreed to the contact (common in sports or mutual fights
- False allegations: The accusations were made up or exaggerated out of anger, revenge, or a custody dispute
- Mistaken identity: The wrong person was arrested or identified
- Violation of your rights: The police may have conducted an illegal search or violated your Miranda rights, for instance
An experienced assault defense attorney can thoroughly investigate your case and determine the best defenses available. The goal is to weaken the state’s case enough that your charges are dismissed or reduced, or to win an acquittal at trial if necessary.
Contact Our Dallas Assault Defense Attorneys to Schedule a Consultation
Assault charges can derail your life, but it doesn’t have to end that way. With the right legal team by your side, you can challenge the accusations, protect your record, and take back control of your future.
At Texas Defense Firm, we’re ready to step in and fight for you. Our Dallas assault defense lawyers bring over 200 years of combined legal experience to every case and know what it takes to go up against aggressive prosecutors.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.