A misdemeanor assault charge in Texas may sound less serious than a felony, but it carries real penalties, goes on your permanent record, and can escalate to a felony charge with prior convictions. As a former prosecutor, Lisa Shapiro Strauss has seen how misdemeanor assault cases are prosecuted. She now uses that experience to defend […]
Blog Category: Assault
Is It Illegal to Threaten Someone in Texas?
Is making verbal threats a crime in Texas or protected speech? There are many reasons a person could make a verbal threat against the other. In some instances, a verbal threat could be made as a joke; in others, it could be a means of self-defense with no real intention of causing bodily harm or […]
What’s the Difference Between Self Defense and Assault in Texas?
A defendant charged with assault in Texas will often claim that they were acting in self defense when the crime took place. However, in order to be successful, they must be able to prove that they had good reasons to believe they were in real danger when they knowingly caused bodily harm to another, or […]
How is Bodily Injury Defined, and How Does It Impact a Houston Assault Case?
Being charged with assault in Houston or Harris County is bad enough, but being charged with assault for causing bodily injury to another could mean jail time and steep fines. If you’ve been charged with bodily injury assault in Houston, your best chance to avoid these penalties is being represented by an experienced Houston assault […]
Can Witnesses Help Prove My Innocence If I Was Falsely Accused of Assault?
It’s sad that there are instances in which innocent people are convicted of crimes they didn’t commit. If you’ve been charged with assault in Houston, the fact that you’re innocent may not be enough to get the charges dropped. A Harris County DA wouldn’t file charges if they didn’t think they had enough evidence to […]
Will the District Attorney Drop Assault Charges If the Victim Asks?
In Houston, the answer is often no. Understand why & what your options are. If you’ve been charged with assault in Harris County and think the Harris County District Attorney’s Office will drop the charges against you at the victim’s request, you need to speak to a lawyer. While this might have been true in […]
How Can You Get A Houston Assault Charge Removed From Your Record?
Any assault charges in Houston, no matter if you are found innocent or the charges are dismissed, will remain on your permanent public record for the rest of your life. This can make it difficult to find a job, qualify for a loan, enroll in school or even lease an apartment. You shouldn’t continue to […]
Should I Accept a Plea Agreement for an Assault Charge in Houston?
In a lot of assault cases in Houston, it’s not unusual for the prosecutor to offer the defendant a plea agreement for a lighter sentence or a lesser charge in exchange for a plea of guilty or no contest. But if you’re in this situation, you may be wondering if you should take the deal. […]
What Is A Mistrial And How Could It Affect Your Houston Assault Case?
When you are on trial in Houston for a crime like assault, it’s important to be represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney who will ensure your rights are protected. In many instances, mistakes are made during the trial process that can have an enormous impact on the outcome of your case. You’ll want someone […]
How Much Jail Time Will You Serve for an Assault Conviction in Harris County?
If you’ve been charged with assault in Harris County, you could be facing a jail sentence or thousands of dollars in fines. However, how much time you are sentenced to and how much time you actually serve for an assault conviction usually depends on a number of factors, such as the severity of the crime […]
