By Jeff Kennedy
Have You Been Charged With A Violent Crime?
Have you been accused of committing a violent crime? You have the right to face your accuser in court. Call a Tarrant County violent offense attorney who can defend you against a violent crime conviction.
You are right to be concerned if you’ve been arrested for a violent crime in Tarrant County. Convictions for violent offenses can devastate nearly every aspect of your life.
Your family life could be affected, including your right to be around your own children; you could struggle to secure gainful employment; and you could lose your right to carry a gun. You could also suffer from legal consequences like jail or prison time, fines, or being placed on probation and having your every move scrutinized.
Just because you’ve been charged with a crime doesn’t mean you’re guilty. The prosecution has a long way to go from an arrest to a conviction, so don’t lose hope just yet. You can help your future by calling a violent crime lawyer who will work harder to defend you than the prosecution will work to convict you.
Types of Violent Crimes In Texas
Some types of violent crimes are defined below:
- Assault Charges – Knowingly, intentionally causing another person physical bodily harm, threatening physical bodily harm, or touching someone in a manner he or she finds inappropriate or provocative
- Sexual Assault – Knowingly, intentionally engaging in sexual conduct with another person without his or her consent
- Aggravated Assault – Knowingly, intentionally causing another person physical bodily harm, threatening another person with physical bodily harm, or using a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense
- Unlawful Restraint – Intentionally holding another person against his or her will
- Kidnapping – Intentionally, knowingly abducting another person against his or her will
- Disorderly Conduct – Disturbing the peace in a violent manner involving fighting, firing a gun, etc.
- Deadly Conduct – Putting another person’s life in danger
- Murder – Intentionally and knowingly cause the death of another person; causing the death of a person when only intending to cause that person serious bodily harm; and causing the death of a person during the commission of a felony offense (e.g., burglary)
- Manslaughter – Recklessly causing the death of another person, though not intentionally
Legal Penalties for Violent Offenses
Legal penalties will vary greatly and depend on the unique circumstances of your case. For example, not all those charged with an assault-related crime will be given the same penalties. It will depend on aggravating and minimizing circumstances, such as your criminal history, the extent of the injuries, and other factors.
Below is a basic outline of penalties based on what level of misdemeanor or felony violent crime you’ve been charged with:
- Depending on the seriousness of the offense, assault could be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, resulting in either jail or prison time.
- Sexual assault is almost always charged as a felony punished by prison time. Penalties depend heavily on the circumstances.
- Aggravated assault is almost always charged as a felony of the first or second degree and is punished by prison time.
- Unlawful restraint could be charged as a misdemeanor, a state jail felony, or a third-degree felony, resulting in jail, state jail, or prison time.
- Kidnapping is usually charged as a third-degree felony, resulting in prison time.
- Violent disorderly conduct is most often charged as a misdemeanor offense, resulting in a fine and possible jail time.
- Deadly conduct, murder, and manslaughter are considered felony offenses, and the punishments can include years of prison time, the death penalty, or life in prison.
Defending Against a Violent Offense in Tarrant County
Being arrested and charged with committing a violent crime doesn’t make you guilty. The prosecution has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the offense. And it must also prove several elements of your case, or your charges could be reduced to a lesser offense.
To give you an example, to prove aggravated assault as a first-degree felony, the prosecutor must prove that you used a weapon during the commission of the offense. If that element of your case can’t be proven, your charge could be reduced, which is likely to reduce your penalties.
The following are some defenses your violent crime lawyer in can use to get your charges reduced or your case dismissed altogether:
- It Was Self-Defense – Many people are charged with assault when they were actually the victim. If you were just defending yourself from an assault, you could use this defense.
- You Were Falsely Accused – Sometimes, people are falsely accused of assault, sexual assault, or other violent offenses because someone wants to get even with them or wants to ruin their lives for whatever reason. It is possible to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit.
- There Is a Question of Intent or Consent – Perhaps you accidentally harmed someone or you believed someone gave you consent to touch them. This will call into question whether you had the intention to commit the crime, casting all sorts of doubt in the jurors’ minds as to whether you should be held accountable for your actions.
- Insanity – In some cases, a person simply isn’t functioning on a “normal” mental level and can’t be held accountable for the behaviors he or she commits while in that state of mind.
Consult with an Attorney Who Has Experience Defending Violent Crimes
Attorneys from our office approach each violent crime case with the intention of preparing the very best defense possible. We aren’t afraid to aggressively defend you in court, and we will do everything in our power to get your charges dismissed or reduced. Contact Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy to potentialy reduce your legal penalties and move past this tough time in your life. Call us at 817-605-1010 or complete our online contact form below to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.
