Assault Family Violence Charges Defense
Houston Domestic Assault Lawyers James Sullivan & Associates
Most couples learn to resolve their differences or even end their relationships without resorting to domestic assault or family violence. Sometimes, however, even good people gets so stressed out and feel so overwhelmed that they lose it even for a moment and strike out at their partner or another family member in a physical way.
The Consequences for Assault Family Violence
Depending on the circumstances, the prosecutors can charge Assault Family Violence either as a:
- misdemeanor, or
- felony.
A Class A Misdemeanor Assault means that a person caused bodily injury (or pain) to their partner. If the person used a deadly weapon in the domestic assault, then it is a Felony Aggravated Assault. If the person choked their partner or restricted their breathing, then it is also a Felony. No matter the level of the criminal offense charged, you can expect the court to order you out of your home and have no contact until the case is resolved with your partner, spouse or family member. Punishment for those who are found guilty of misdemeanor assault family violence may also include:
- Community Supervision (Probation)
- A fine of up to $4,000.00
- Jail confinement of up to one year
- Community service
- Anger management counseling
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has a Family Criminal Law Division that focuses solely on domestic violence. The prosecutors immediately call the alleged victim to get their statement as to what happened. The prosecutors lock in the emotional stress of the event by obtaining their immediate statement. However, facts tend to change and the importance of the incidence significantly lessens frequently after a short cooling off time.
Arrested for Assault Family Violence? Call James Sullivan & Associates at (281) 546-6428.
Defending a Houston Assault Family Violence Charge
Assault against a family member is very serious and can have far reaching consequences. The accused may be permanently barred from working in certain industries. The accused may be denied housing in apartment complexes. If you are charged with assault family violence, you should seek legal advice from an experienced criminal defense lawyers.
The defense lawyers of James Sullivan & Associates fight to get their client’s assault family violence charges dismissed or won at trial. Other domestic assault lawyers may choose to arrange a plea bargain for their clients; however, this may not be in the client’s best interest. While it is true that a defendant who successfully completes a deferred adjudication probation will not have a conviction on their record, it is also true that if that person ever gets arrested again for assault family violence then he or she will be charged with a third degree felony and if found guilty could be sentenced to between 2 to 10 years in prison.
Negotiating a plea deal with prosecutors should be the last resort. A good domestic assault lawyer will first investigate the case, interview witnesses, analyze physical evidence and review witness statements in the offense report for inconsistencies. Such a defense attorney will also consider possible motives for making false allegations, such as jealousy, revenge or child custody issues.
Need Legal Advice? Call James Sullivan & Associates at (281) 546-6428.
Call a Houston Assault Family Violence Lawyer
The best way to resolve the case is by first talking with a good lawyer. Harris County Family Violence Lawyer James Sullivan will consider the merits of your case and give you an honest evaluation. He will aggressively defend you. He gets results and fights cases at trial. His legal fees are affordable, reasonable and fair.
James Sullivan graduated from Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, the most selective and prestigious trial advocacy program in America. Sullivan has a proven record of defending people from all walks of life, faiths and countries in courts throughout Texas. This is one of his many client reviews on his Google profile:
My husband and I live in Oklahoma and had a domestic violence case open in Houston, Texas last year. The charge was assault of a family member. Upon being notified of a warrant for my husband’s arrest, I needed to hire an attorney asap. I googled top rated defense attorneys in Houston and came across James Sullivan. I contacted him around 6 pm on a Wednesday evening and explained our detailed situation and he spent about 45 min on the phone with me explaining what we needed to do and how we would achieve a positive outcome. He was very caring and well experienced!
We came to Houston the next day to have our first face to face consult, and he was able to get us in court the very next day! My husband was facing a serious charge and jail time. Mr. Sullivan not only got him a PR bond, but more importantly got the prosecutor to agree to dismiss the case in exchange for my husband doing 8 hrs of community service and taking a brief online anger management class. My husband was able to do that in Oklahoma so, thanks to Mr. Sullivan, we only had to drive down to Houston once, as he will get the case dismissed before the next setting.
At first, we were worried that my husband might lose his career over this, might have to return to Houston multiple times to fight the case, might go to jail, or even be on probation. Instead, and incredibly, Mr. Sullivan worked out a deal to get my husband’s case dismissed within 2 days of first talking to him! I am beyond thankful for his quick work on our case, his professionalism and caring demeanor!
~Crystal LaBree
Contact James G. Sullivan & Associates for a free phone consultation at (281) 546-6428 about your assault family violence charges in Harris County, Fort Bend County and Waller County.
To see recent Domestic Violence case results go here.
