Good Criminal Defense Attorney in Houston, Texas
If you have been arrested in Houston, Texas for assault of a family member, then you need a good criminal defense attorney who cares as much about the best possible outcome to your case as you do. I believe that you deserve to be treated with respect and to have a good criminal defense lawyer on your side who will fight to protect your rights above all else.
When you have been charged with assault of a family member in Houston, Texas the best lawyer for you is an attorney who practices in criminal law. I am an experienced criminal defense lawyer, with over 14 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney and prosecutor. I have worked on a wide range of criminal cases as both a prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney. If there's one thing that I have learned over the years, it is that anyone can make a mistake, and mistakes have the potential to change a person's life forever. I do not believe that your future should be lost because of a single error in judgment.
In Texas, Domestic and Family Violence charges are taken very seriously by Texas courts, prosecutors will move forward with a domestic or family violence case even if the alleged victim does not want to pursue the charge and has signed an Affidavit of Non-Prosecution and has changed or recanted their statement made to the police.
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A Misdemeanor Assault is punishable by 1 day to 365 days in the County Jail, and/or $1.00 to $4,000.00 in fines. You can be charged with a Class "A" Misdemeanor if you cause bodily injury to another person; or you can be charged with a Class "C" Misdemeanor if you threaten another person with imminent bodily injury, or cause physical contact with another person when you know or should reasonably believe that the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative. Texas Penal Code §22.01
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If you have a prior conviction for an Assault Family Violence; or if you impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure to the throat or neck, or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person who meets the definition of the Texas Family Code, then you can be charged with a Third Degree Felony or Second Degree Felony.
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You will be charged with an Aggravated Assault if you commit an Assault as defined in Texas Penal Code §22.01 and cause serious bodily injury to the other person; or use or exhibit a deadly weapon during the commission of the Assault. An Aggravated Assault is a Second Degree Felony which is punishable by 2 to 20 years in the Texas Department of Corrections, and/or a fine from $1.00 up to $10,000.00. Texas Penal Code §22.02
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If you use a deadly weapon during the commission of the Assault and cause serious bodly injury to another person who meets the definition of the Texas Family Code, then you will be charged with a First Degree Felony.
Assaults which are classified as Domestic and Family Violence are the same as other Assaults except the charge is enhanced because the individuals involved are in a Household, Dating, or Family relationship as defined by the Texas Family Code.
Texas Family Code. Section 71.0021 (b) For purposes of this title, "dating relationship" means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on consideration of: (1) the length of the relationship; (2) the nature of the relationship; and (3) the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. (c) A casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization in a business or social context does not constitute a "dating relationship" under Subsection (b).
Texas Family Code. Section 71.003 "Family" includes individuals related by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Sections 573.022 and 573.024, Government Code, individuals who are former spouses of each other, individuals who are the parents of the same child, without regard to marriage, and a foster child and foster parent, without regard to whether those individuals reside together.
Texas Family Code. Section 71.005 "Household" means a unit composed of persons living together in the same dwelling, without regard to whether they are related to each other.
My goal is always to resolve these cases as quickly as possible so you can get back to living a normal life. Even in cases where the charges appear to have some merit, I have been successful at having orders of protection amended to allow my clients to return home even while their case is pending, as long as there is no additional harm caused.
At the law office of Mark A. Morasch, I have represented clients throughout the greater Houston area in a variety of complex domestic violence cases. I have been a lawyer for over 14 years and have been serving clients in Texas since 2003. I have extensive experience handling cases involving violence between married couples, parent and child, siblings and individuals involved in a dating relationship. When the best possible outcome matters, contact the Houston, Texas, Law Office of Mark A. Morasch today for a free initial consultation.
Get the Help You Need 24/7 from a Good Criminal Defense Lawyer in Houston, Texas
If you have been arrested for Assault in Houston, then contact my office to discuss your case today. You can speak to someone weekday or weekend, day or night by calling 713-got-aDWI (that's 713-468-2394) or you can use the e-mail link for a response the next business day. In criminal cases I offer payment plans, and I accept Visa and MasterCard. Program 713-got-aDWI into your cell phone now, because you never know when you'll need help.
