Any criminal charge can throw your life off track. A criminal conviction on your record can affect your ability to secure housing, find employment opportunities, and legally own a firearm.
The law separates crimes into misdemeanors and felonies. Misdemeanors are low-level offenses punishable by up to one year in jail and/or monetary fines.
Felonies are more serious crimes that can result in more than a year in prison and serious financial penalties. In Texas, aggravated assault is considered a felony-level offense.
If you are facing criminal charges in San Antonio, TX, contact an experienced aggravated assault lawyer at Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC immediately. A lawyer for aggravated assault can review the details of your case and determine what steps come next.
What Is Aggravated Assault?
To commit an aggravated assault, the accused must first commit an assault. Texas defines assault as:
- Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person;
- Intentionally or knowingly threatening another person with imminent bodily injury; or
- Intentionally or knowingly causing physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other person will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.
A person commits aggravated assault if they assault another person and:
- Cause serious bodily injury to the victim, or
- Uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault.
Texas considers aggravated assault a felony of the second degree. However, suppose the actor used a deadly weapon during the assault and caused serious bodily injury to a family member or intimate partner.
In that case, the offense is a felony of the first degree. There are other circumstances where aggravated assault is charged as a first-degree felony, such as:
- When the assault is committed by or against a public servant;
- When the assault is committed in retaliation against a witness, informant, or person who reported a crime; or
- If the alleged assailant shot a firearm from a motor vehicle at a house, building, or motor vehicle with reckless disregard for whether it is occupied and causes serious bodily injury to the victim.
If you are facing criminal allegations, contact a San Antonio criminal defense lawyer for aggravated assault at Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC.
Penalties for Aggravated Assault
In Texas, a felony of the second degree carries the possibility of up to 20 years in prison, with a minimum sentence of 2 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
A first-degree felony carries the possibility of up to 99 years in prison, with a minimum sentence of 5 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
Defenses to Aggravated Assault Charges
In some cases, a valid legal defense can help your aggravated assault attorney convince the prosecutor to reduce your aggravated assault charge or even drop the charge altogether. Examples of a valid legal defense in an aggravated assault case include:
- The victim did not suffer serious bodily injury,
- You did not use a deadly weapon during the assault, or
- You acted in self-defense.
A San Antonio aggravated assault lawyer can review the details of your case and determine whether a legal defense applies.
Contact an Aggravated Assault Lawyer at Austin Hagee Law Firm Today
Dealing with criminal allegations is a stressful, overwhelming process. A qualified aggravated assault attorney will stand by your side every step of the way.
The criminal defense attorneys at Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC, have experience from the other side of the aisle as prosecutors, so our team knows what to expect when we take your case to court.
We have extensive courtroom experience and know what it takes to bring out the strengths in our clients’ cases to secure a favorable outcome for them. At Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC we are committed to ensuring our clients receive the best possible representation for their unique circumstances.
Contact Austin Hagee Law Firm, PLLC, today if you or a loved one are facing an aggravated assault charge in San Antonio.