Dallas Aggravated Assault Lawyer

Get Help From a Dallas Violent Crimes Attorney

The crime of assault is defined as when someone intentionally or recklessly causes someone to fear that they are in imminent danger of bodily harm or that their life may be at risk. However, should any aggravating factors be present, the crime is upgraded to aggravated assault, which carries far heavier penalties for a conviction. If you’ve been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, Attorney Nelson Knight may be able to help you defend yourself and fight for your freedom.

As a former prosecutor, Attorney Nelson Knight knows how your prosecution is going to approach your case and uses this knowledge and experience to create an effective defense that aggressively pursues your best interests. At our firm, we take pride in offering each client the attention their case deserves, and we don’t settle for a result that we believe can be improved. We take your case seriously, understanding that it’s your freedom and your future that’s at risk with the outcome of your case. Your best interests are our number-one priority, and we’re committed to providing you with the counsel and advocacy you need to stand up to the Texas criminal justice system with confidence.

Common Aggravating Factors

Section 22.02 of the Texas Penal Code states defines “aggravated assault” by listing these special circumstances.

According to the Texas Penal Code, aggravated assault includes:

• Knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causing serious bodily injury to another person
• Using a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense, including threatening them or taking part in conduct that the victim will likely find “offensive”

In these instances, the offense would be considered a second-degree felony, which is punishable by a prison sentence ranging between two and 20 years. It’s extremely likely that even first-time offenders with otherwise clean criminal records will be required to serve at least a minimal prison sentence for a conviction of this offense.

However, the crime can also be escalated to a first-degree felony in other special cases. Certain groups of people are considered “protected classes,” and assault against them automatically increases the severity of this crime to one of the highest levels in Texas law.

You could be charged with first-degree felony assault if:

• The assault is committed against a public servant (such as a police officer)
• The assault is committed against a security guard
• The assault is committed against a witness to a crime

First-degree felony assault offenders could face a minimum of five years in prison for a conviction with a maximum penalty of up to 99 years. Likewise, you could also be fined up to a maximum of $10,000.

If you’re accused of aggravated assault, your liberty and future are more than likely at stake with the outcome of your case. Don’t leave your freedom up to chance—make sure you have a powerful ally on your side who can work through the process and defend you every step of the way.