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Defending Violent Crime Charges in Texas

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If you have been charged with a violent crime in the state of Texas, you need the best available representation to protect your legal rights and to avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Texas law defines a wide range of offenses as violent crimes, including the following:

  • Simple assault and aggravated assault
  • Assault by threat
  • Domestic violence
  • Assault on a public official
  • Assault with a deadly weapon
  • Sexual assault
  • Sexual assault with a deadly weapon
  • Homicide

Due to the fact that violent crimes encompass a wide range of offenses, seeking competent legal counsel is critical to building a solid defense in your particular case. A knowledgeable and experienced Houston criminal attorney can serve as your advocate in pre-trial investigations and negotiations and can represent you effectively in the Texas court system. This is especially important if you have ever been charged with or convicted of a violent crime in the past. Prior offenses may be used by the prosecution to establish a pattern of violent behavior which can potentially lead to a harsher sentence in your case.

Depending on the severity of the violent crime charges pending against you, you may face fines, jail time, or both if you are convicted. Violent crimes can result in misdemeanor or felony charges and may be punishable by fines, court-referred counseling, probation, or jail time. In many cases, violent crime charges are brought against innocent people by individuals who are seeking revenge or who wish to cause harm to the defendant’s reputation. Finding a qualified and competent Houston criminal defense lawyer is essential to avoiding the consequences of a conviction and to establishing your innocence.

Domestic violence charges can be even more serious for Texas residents. These offenses fall into three categories:

  • Domestic assault
  • Aggravated domestic assault
  • Continuous violence against the family

Repeated convictions for domestic assault or aggravated domestic assault can lead to a charge of continuous violence against the family and can result in extended jail sentences and even the loss of visitation rights with your children. By fighting these charges with the help of a Houston criminal defense lawyer knowledgeable of the domestic violence laws in Texas, you can avoid these serious consequences and protect your legal rights throughout the pre-trial and trial process.

A conviction on felony charges can have serious negative effects on your future employment prospects, educational opportunities, and your participation in the political process. Additionally, your professional or occupational license may be suspended or revoked after a felony conviction. Prison terms are often assessed for violent crimes as well. If you are convicted of a violent felony, you will be prohibited from owning, possessing or using firearms in the state of Texas. These type of restrictions can seriously affect your quality of life after a felony conviction.

As an experienced Houston criminal defense attorney, Matthew Gallagher can provide you with the best possible representation against violent crime charges. His knowledge and expertise can help you build a solid defense and seek an acquittal at trial, a dismissal pre-trial, negotiate a plea involving lesser charges, or negotiate a diversion to help you avoid a criminal conviction on your record. By enlisting the help of Matthew Gallagher immediately after your arrest, you can increase your chances of a positive outcome in your case.