Harris County Assault Lawyer

Harris County Assault Attorney

Assault charges in Harris County can’t be taken lightly. Assault is a severe offense in the county, with equally serious consequences, if you are convicted. Hiring a Harris County Assault Lawyer should be among the first and most important steps after an arrest for an assault.

At Greco Neyland, we recognize the crucial role a Harris County Assault Lawyer plays in your defense, and we provide a defense to assault charges that seek to protect your finances, freedom, and future.

What Is the Law on Assault in Harris County?

As in Houston and other cities in Texas, counties, like Harris County, are required to enforce the Texas state law on assault and other violent crimes. Under Texas’s criminal law, the Texas Penal Code, assault is a serious offense, and therefore it is a serious crime in Harris County.

Charged with assault in Harris County? Even if you are hiring a Harris County assault lawyer at Greco Neyland to handle your case, you need to understand what the Texas Penal Code says about assault crimes.

All charges for assault fall under a single statute in Texas – found at Section 22.01 of the Texas Penal Code. This specific law states that assault can be:

• Causing bodily injury to another person,

• Making threats of bodily injury or harm against another person; or

• Causing physical contact with another person that the defendant reasonably knows will be offensive or harmful to the victim.

It is important to know that not all instances of bodily harm, threats, and offensive physical contact rise to the level of assault in Texas. To commit assault in Harris County, you must have a specific mindset or intent when carrying out these actions.

How to Understand Intent in the Texas Assault Statutes?

The intent is a crucial aspect of any criminal charges in Harris County. Intent requirements in the Texas Penal Code mean a Harris County prosecutor must prove that a defendant acted with certain goals or purpose when acting. If there is evidence the defendant acted negligently, then the prosecutor cannot prove all necessary elements of assault and can’t get a conviction for burglary, theft, assault or most other crimes in Harris County.

• It is assault in Harris County if you intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily harm.

• It is assault in Harris County if you intentionally or knowingly make threats of bodily injury or harm to a victim.

• It is assault in Harris County if you intentionally cause physical contact with a victim that you reasonably knew would be considered offensive or harmful.

An experienced Harris County assault lawyer at Greco Neyland can help you understand the intent, as applied to specific charges for assault.

What Are the Punishments for Assault Conviction in Harris County?

The Texas assault statute specifies that assault is a class A misdemeanor, except when there are aggravating circumstances that warrant more substantial charges. Any class A misdemeanor in Texas has a potential punishment of one year in jail and payment of a significant criminal fine.

Additionally, any criminal conviction has lasting repercussions for your personal and professional life, which may include loss of a professional license, administrative penalties, and payment of other fees.

The potential punishment is greater when assault charges include aggravating circumstances. In Texas, assault of a public servant, assault of a security officer, and assault during an emergency situation are all considered aggravating circumstances. The criminal charge for these assaults is a felony in the third degree. Felonies in the third degree can be punished by two to 10 years in prison.

Assaults can be charged as felonies in the second degree. These are the most serious assault charges and reserved for grave assaults by strangulation, assault of a family member, or assault committed by a prior offender. Felonies in the second degree can be punished by two to 20 years in prison.

How to Hire a Harris County Assault Lawyer?

To ensure you have the best Harris County assault lawyer for your case, you need to know the lawyer taking your case. This isn’t always possible over emails or a brief phone conversation. At Greco Neyland, we provide a better option and it is free.

You can schedule a one-hour, initial consultation with a top assault lawyer in Harris County when you contact Greco Neyland now.