Dallas Assault and Battery Offenses Attorney

There is a wide range of criminal charges that fit under the heading of “assault and battery,” all of which are taken extremely seriously by law enforcement officers. While a conviction of any of these charges can be severe, the penalties are often extremely serious, as assault and battery charges are frequently combined with other criminal charges, including domestic abuse, alcohol- or drug-related charges, and weapons-possession charges.

Not only can a conviction result in significant court-ordered penalties, such as probation, fines, and jail time, but those convicted of assault and battery may also find their lives affected in other ways even after they have completed a court-ordered sentence. The stigma that often accompanies these charges can damage one’s personal and professional reputation, and significantly limit educational and professional opportunities in the future. At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, our Dallas assault and battery defense lawyers understand the full effects that a conviction for assault and/or battery can have on your life, and we are dedicated to protecting the rights of people like you in the face of such significant charges. Call us at (214) 845-7007 today for a free consultation.

Types of Assault and Battery Cases

While people often think of assault and battery as one criminal charge, these are actually two separate criminal charges that carry very different penalties for conviction. The charges you face will depend on the circumstances surrounding the offense. There are varying degrees of assault, some more serious than others. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony, you deserve representation from a qualified and experienced Dallas assault defense attorney.

According to Texas Penal Code § 22.01, assault is knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causing another person bodily injury, including their spouse; knowingly or intentionally threatening someone with bodily injury, including their spouse; or knowingly or intentionally engaging in physical contact with another even though they knew or should have known that the person would consider it provocative or offensive. Battery involves actual harm caused by physical contact.

Six classifications of assault arise when a person:

  • Threatens or causes offensive physical contact with another.
  • Commits an assault against another person while participating in a sporting event as a form of retaliation.
  • Causes bodily injury with no other factors involved.
  • Knowingly assaults a public servant who’s performing their official duties, a government employee, a member of your family or household, or emergency personnel.
  • Commits assault against a spouse, partner, or another family member.
  • Aggravated assault involves using a weapon during the assault or inflicting serious injury.

Under the umbrella of assault and battery are several other criminal offenses, including:

Charges as serious as these are often prosecuted aggressively, and without an experienced attorney fighting on your side, you may find yourself facing unfair treatment and an infringement on your rights and freedoms. As such, if you are facing any of these or other assault or battery charges, take action today, and contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter. You should not have to go through this traumatic experience alone. We will remain by your side until the very end and help you through the stressful and overwhelming legal process.

Texas Penalties for Assault and Battery Convictions

The consequences you might face if you’re convicted of assault and battery are serious. You could end up paying expensive fines and serving a prison sentence. The punishment you receive could depend on various factors, such as:

  • Type of assault committed
  • The severity of the offense
  • Whether bodily injury or death occurred
  • If you used any weapons during the crime
  • Your criminal history

Below are the different penalties associated with each type of offense:

Misdemeanor Assault

There are three different classifications of misdemeanors with varying penalties.

  • Class C – No jail time and a maximum of a $500 fine.
  • Class B – Up to 180 days in jail and a maximum of a $2,000 fine.
  • Class A – Up to one year in jail and a maximum of a $4,000 fine.

Felony Assault

Varying degrees of felonies and punishments depend on the aggravating circumstances of the offense.

  • Third-degree – Discharging of a firearm, harassment of a public servant, or terroristic threats. Two to ten years in jail and a maximum of $10,000 in fines.
  • Second-degree – Sexual assault or domestic violence. Two to twenty years in state prison and a maximum of $10,000 in fines.
  • Third-degree – Aggravated sexual assault or aggravated assault with a weapon. Five years to life in prison and a maximum of $10,000 in fines.

When you’re facing a possible prison sentence, you should have an experienced Dallas assault defense attorney on your side. The criminal penalties aren’t the only consequences you could suffer. You could also lose your job, ruin your reputation, and face daily challenges upon your release from jail. You might have a difficult time finding a new job or applying for college.

At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we understand the implications of an assault and battery conviction. We will go to battle for you and create a defense strategy that tears the prosecutor’s case to shreds. We have extensive resources to gather evidence and prove that you deserve to be given a second chance. Our main goal will be to get the charges dropped, but we can work on a plea deal to get your sentencing reduced if we’re unable to do so.

Defenses We Might Use Against Your Assault and Battery Charge

The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you’re guilty of the offense. If they can’t show sufficient evidence that you committed the alleged crime, your case might not go to trial.

We could try to negotiate a plea agreement to reduce the charge and ensure you receive a more lenient sentence. For example, instead of jail time, we could negotiate for probation or community service.

However, if the prosecutor can bring the case to court, there are some defenses we might be able to use depending on the circumstances of the offense. They include:

  • The alleged crime didn’t cause actual physical injury.
  • The assault didn’t cause the victim’s injuries.
  • You didn’t know that the victim would take the offense as provocative or offensive.
  • You had no way of knowing that the victim was an officer, public servant, or another important figure.
  • You committed the actions in self-defense.
  • There was no reasonable way for the victim to believe the threat or that you would follow through with it.
  • The victim wrongly identified you as the perpetrator.
  • You were acting under coercion or duress to commit the crime.

You can depend on our Dallas assault defense attorneys and the legal team of Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter to thoroughly review your case and determine the best options moving forward. We will present these options for you to make a decision. It is not our job to pressure you into anything that you don’t feel comfortable with; instead, we offer our legal advice and guidance, so you can make an informed decision about how you want your case handled.

Contact a Dallas Assault Defense Attorney Today

At Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we have committed our firm to defending the rights of those charged with assault and battery crimes, and we are ready to fight for you. We don’t hold back when we’re defending a client against an assault charge. We understand what’s at stake and will aggressively seek justice for the allegations made against you.

For over 12 years, we have represented clients in Dallas and throughout Texas. We’ve built a superior reputation in that time, receiving recognition from various legal organizations, including The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and we hold a 10.0 rating from AVVO.

We’re familiar with state laws and legal procedures. Many of our Dallas assault defense attorneys grew up here. We care about the people in our community and aim to protect their rights and secure their future. You can depend on us to use our experience and knowledge of criminal cases to get the results you want.

If you or a loved one was arrested or charged with assault and battery, contact Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter immediately. The sooner you seek legal representation, the sooner we can work on your case and reach a favorable resolution so you can move forward with your life. Call us today at (214) 845-7007 and learn more about what our team can do to defend your rights.

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Pat-

When my son received a DWI, I wanted to get him THE BEST lawyer I could find. I researched for two days, and then I found Mark Lassiter. I looked no further. As soon as I read about him, I knew that I found THE BEST. From the moment I met him, I had COMPLETE confidence in him. At the end of my son's trial, Mr. Lassiter came through with a defense case so impressive that the case was dismissed before the prosecutors finished their argument. I will always be grateful to him.

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Mark is a very intelligent professional defense Attorney on my DWI offense that Mark convinced the jury that i wasn't guilty i highy recommend Mark to my family and friends once again thanks Mark

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I had my first DWI charge and I was unclear of next steps. I was getting propositioned left and right by less ethical lawyers and one even "claimed" my case and I missed my court date. However, Mark Lassiter and his amazing paralegal took care of everything. They were very prompt and clear with their communication on every step of the process. Also if anything came up I got a call right away and they let me know what I needed to do next. Honestly made this stressful situation manageable. I already recommend them to anyone who is going through the same situation as me. That said he does come at a premium cost but is worth every penny, and his team is willing to work with you on payment plans.

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I recently was referred to contact Mark Lassiter by a colleague and called him for a consultation related to a recent arrest for public intoxication in Dallas. He was terrific; I had never been arrested before and was unsure of what the appropriate next steps would be. He was detailed in his step-by-step approach and provided me sound legal advice on how he would handle this case.I elected to hire him as my attorney and it was the best decision. He handled my case and was able to get the charges dismissed. As a professional it was imperative to be able to get this charge removed from my record.If you are in need of a criminal defense attorney, I would highly recommend Mark's services.

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I am a very satisfied and a relived client. After meeting with various lawyers Mark was the one who won me over. Walking into his office you will be impressed of all his credentials. He is professional and aggressive which is what everyone looks for in a attorney. Every other lawyer I interviewed mentioned to "plea deal", I knew that meant settling. A DWI on my record was the LAST thing I wanted. I was very hopeless and scared (considering it was my first offense) but Mark always reassured me that I had a very good case. Ultimately, Mark did a phenomenal job in the court room (he had the prosecutors speechless), which resulted in a dismissal. I recommend this man to everyone I know. Thank you Mark, I owe you my life.

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