Defending Clients from Serious Criminal Charges
If you were accused of a domestic violence offense that Texas law considers a felony, you could face severe consequences, including expensive fines and time in prison. That’s why it’s so important to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to fight this serious charge and reduce its impact on your life.
When you contact the Cory Roth Law Office for legal advice after your arrest, you will have the chance to speak to a trusted lawyer who understands the severity of your felony charge and the need to fight it aggressively. Call our Houston criminal defense firm to schedule an initial consultation so you can learn how a skilled attorney can defend you throughout your felony domestic violence case.
What Does Texas Law Consider a Felony Domestic Violence Offense?
Domestic violence is often referred to as family violence in Texas, as suspects are usually accused of harming their family members. However, you may be accused of this crime by someone outside your family, such as someone you’ve dated. Any of the following can allege domestic violence in Texas:
- Children
- Current or former spouses
- Parents
- Siblings
- In-laws
- Foster parents
- Foster children
- Roommates
- Current or former boyfriends or girlfriends
So, you could be accused of domestic violence by anyone who is related to you, has lived in your household, or with whom you have had an intimate relationship. They must have evidence that you knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally caused bodily injury, or at least threatened to do so.
If you were arrested for domestic violence, you might wonder how serious the charge is. If this is the first time you’ve been accused of domestic violence assault, you will likely face misdemeanor charges, especially if the injuries are not severe and the victim will recover. This may be the case if you were accused of slapping, kicking, punching, or pulling hair.
However, aggravating factors can result in felony charges. For example, if you’re accused of causing serious bodily injury, such as head trauma or permanent injuries, you may be charged with aggravated domestic violence. This is a second-degree felony in Texas. The same is true if you used a deadly weapon, such as a knife or gun.
If you were accused of choking or impeding the victim’s ability to breathe, you will face a third-degree felony charge. The same type of felony will apply if you have been accused of domestic violence two or more times within the last 12 months. This is referred to as continuous violence and can result in severe punishment, which is why you should call our Houston felony domestic violence lawyer today for a chance to clear your name of serious felony charges.
What Punishment Are You Facing for Felony Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is always a serious offense, whether it’s charged as a misdemeanor or felony. However, as you might expect, the consequences of a felony conviction are much more severe, so hiring a skilled lawyer to defend you is more important than ever if you face a felony.
For example, if you’re convicted of a Class A misdemeanor for domestic violence, your penalties might include a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in jail. But if you’re convicted of felony domestic violence in Texas, your penalties will include expensive fines and years in prison. More specifically, you could get the following penalties depending on the specific charge:
- First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years in prison
- Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years in prison
- Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years in prison
Additionally, you could face up to $10,000 in fines for your felony offense. You can also expect to lose your right to vote, serve on a jury, own a firearm, receive government benefits, or hold certain professional licenses you might need for your career. This is why it’s critical that you fight your felony domestic violence allegation with the help of a skilled lawyer. Call our Houston law firm to discuss your legal options if you want a chance to avoid serious penalties.
How Can You Fight a Felony Domestic Violence Charge?
Being arrested for domestic violence is serious, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll spend years in prison. You have a right to fight the accusations against you by getting help from a Houston felony domestic violence attorney. When you hire a legal professional who has fought and won numerous cases like yours, you can trust them to choose the most suitable defense angle based on your circumstances.
Some of the most common felony domestic violence defense angles include:
- The alleged victim falsely accused you to get revenge
- You acted in self-defense
- You acted in defense of someone else
- There is insufficient evidence of emotional or physical abuse
Skilled lawyers know how to approach a case based on the evidence they collect, so you can rely on the law firm you hire to focus on the legal details on your behalf. If you’re ready to discuss your case with a caring Houston felony domestic violence lawyer, call us for a consultation.
When Should You Hire a Houston Felony Domestic Violence Lawyer?
You deserve to ensure the judge hears your side of the story before deciding if you’re guilty of serious domestic violence allegations. When you hire the Cory Roth Law Office to represent you, you’ll have a compassionate, skilled attorney by your side who is committed to aggressively fighting your criminal charges within the Texas criminal court system.
Whether your case ends in a plea bargain or goes to trial, our trusted lawyer is here to help with your case from start to finish. If you want a chance to get the best possible outcome when facing serious charges, call our Houston law office at 832-400-4133 to hire our team.