Assault is a serious crime in Texas. Under Texas law, if a person knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another individual, he or she can get charged with misdemeanor assault.
Aggravated assault, on the other hand, means the offender caused serious bodily injury or brandished a deadly weapon.
If you’re convicted of simple misdemeanor assault, you’ll face up to one year in prison and a maximum fine of $4,000. Aggravated assault, on the other hand, is punishable by two to 20 years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000.
If you were wrongfully accused of assaulting someone in Texas, you will need to hire a criminal defense attorney who will aggressively defend you. Your goal should be to get your charges dropped. In this blog, we’ll examine ways you can fight false assault charges in Texas.
1. Hire an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you want to get your assault charges dropped, you’ll increase the odds of that happening by hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney in Texas. They should also have the necessary experience working on complex assault cases that are similar to yours.
Until you have an attorney, exercise your right to remain silent. Do not speak to the police unless you have an attorney present. Many people who are arrested make the mistake of trying to be helpful, and by speaking to the police, make their situation worse. You have a right to representation while the police question you—exercise that right. Remember that once you are charged, the police are not in a position to drop your charges. Don’t depend on the people in the prosecutor’s office for legal advice, as they are the ones pursuing charges against you.
Your attorney will carefully walk you through your case while protecting your interests and rights. His or her goal should be your goal: to get your case dropped or dismissed, or, at the very least, get the charges reduced.
Recommended Read: How to Choose The Right Criminal Defense Lawyer
2. Cooperate with Your Attorney—Completely
It’s important to hire an attorney you trust because he or she will try to get as much information from you as possible. Some questions may seem intrusive, but this is part of the process. Trust your attorney’s judgment and provide him or her with all the information requested. The more they know, the more they can fill in holes in their defense strategy.
Your attorney will examine the details of your case and dig through the evidence presented against you. The goal is to weaken the case that the prosecutors have built against you.
Is there a chance that law enforcement illegally obtained evidence from you? Are your charges the result of extenuating circumstances? Did you act out of self-defense? Do you have a clean criminal record? These details will give your lawyer the details they need to attack and counterattack the prosecutor’s actions.
3. Stay Informed
Your lawyer will work hard to get your charges dropped, but the truth is, there are no guarantees that it will happen. Stay in touch with your attorney. Understand the different techniques your lawyer will employ and how they will benefit your case. This will also help you follow your attorney’s strategy and avoid saying anything that can be used against you in court.
Depending on the evidence against you, your attorney may negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors to get the charges reduced before the case goes to trial. He or she may also urge the victim’s family to reconsider pressing charges. Stay in the loop and understand that you and your attorney are in alignment. Trust him or her to handle your case with the appropriate amount of pressure.
Recommended Read: What Are My Options When Charged With A Criminal Case?
Are you facing false assault charges in Texas? As an experienced and driven criminal defense attorney, JL Carpenter builds strong cases for her clients. Over the years, she has successfully handled dozens of wrongful assault cases in Texas. JL fights rigorously for her clients and provides the support, guidance, and encouragement they need during the case.
Explore her profile to learn more about JL and her background. JL also works on DWI, drug possession, family violence, domestic violence, BWI, and a range of other cases for clients facing charges across the Greater Houston area. If you’re looking for a criminal defense lawyer in Friendswood, Clear Lake, and the surrounding areas, call JL today.