ASSAULT CHARGES
OVERVIEW
In the state of Texas, assault and battery is a criminal act that can range from simple assault to aggravated assault, with varying degrees of penalties associated with each. Simple assault is defined as an intentional, knowing, or reckless threat of bodily harm to another person without necessarily touching them. This type of charge often comes with a fine and a jail sentence that can last up to six months. Aggravated assault is when the accused intentionally or knowingly causes serious bodily injury or uses a deadly weapon against the victim. In this case, the penalty includes heavier fines and longer jail sentences, ranging from two to 20 years in prison.
Assault and battery are considered a violent crime in Texas due to its potential for causing physical harm to others. When someone is charged with either one of these offenses, they are facing serious legal consequences and should take it seriously. Depending on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions related to violence or weapons use, there could be additional charges such as possession or use of a deadly weapon added to the charges.
When someone intends to physically harm another person through an offensive gesture or contact while using their body as a weapon – such as punching them in the face – they can be charged with assault and battery in Texas regardless of whether any actual physical injuries occurred. Even if no physical contact was made at all, yet threats of violence were involved, it may still qualify as an aggravated charge because it could have caused fear for their safety in addition to bodily harm.
The legal penalties for both simple assault and aggravated assault vary drastically in Texas, depending on certain conditions being met by the offender (like age). If convicted with simple assault without any sort of deadly weapon involvement, punishment may include up to six months behind bars along with fines reaching up to $4,000; however if found guilty under aggravated circumstances where an extreme danger was posed – like using a dangerous instrument during their attack – then sentences increase dramatically from two years behind bars up to twenty years depending on degree given by court sentencing guidelines.
No matter what degree of charge you face for your offense in Texas relating to either simple or aggravated assault & battery laws; make sure you seek out professional legal advice before making further decisions about your case as soon as possible. A qualified attorney will be able to help explain exactly what you are facing under current laws pertaining to your individual situation so that you may make well-informed decisions regarding your case moving forward into court proceedings, whether it be defending yourself against charges or pleading guilty after understanding offered punishments associated with conviction based on the evidence presented before court jury decisions will ensue.
