Our Criminal Case Process
Listen & Understand
We focus on clients as real people. First, we list to understand who you are and what you need. Then we make sure we fully understand the facts of the case.
Open Communication
We explain the law, your rights, and the legal process. Because communication is very important to us, we strive to quickly answer questions and return communication.
Fight for Justice
Simply put: we fight hard for you. In the courtroom, in negotiations, and before a case even is officially opened, we fight for justice for you.
Types of Violent Crime Charges in Texas
Assault
A person commits assault causing bodily injury (Texas Penal Code § 22.01) if they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to another. Generally, assault causing bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor. As a result, you could face up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. However, threatening bodily injury or causing offensive or provocative contact is generally a Class C misdemeanor.
Bodily injury means physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition. While many people expect that an assault case would require some visible injury like a bruise, cut, or scrape, this is not the case. All the accuser has to allege is that they felt some physical pain. Even a slap, push, or poke that they say caused them pain can be enough.
For more information on assault charges in Dallas, contact our assault and battery lawyers in Dallas County. Assault family violence or domestic violence assault also classified as an assault offense under Texas Penal Code § 22.01. For more information about domestic assault, see our domestic violence, assault family violence, assault impeding breathing, and our injury to a child pages.
Aggravated Assault
A person commits aggravated assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.02) if they commit assault as described above and:
- cause serious bodily injury. OR
- uses or exhibit a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault.
Generally, aggravated assault is a second-degree felony. As a result, you could face 2- 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. For more information on aggravated assault charges in Dallas, see our aggravated assault section.
Murder
A person commits murder (Texas Penal Code § 19.02) if they intentionally, knowingly cause the death of a person. Also, a person commits murder if they intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes death. Finally, a person commits murder if they commit a felony and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes death.
Generally, murder is a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If, however, certain defenses apply that punishment range can change. Capital murder is a separate offense that is punishable by life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
For more information about murder charges in Dallas, see our murder page.
Manslaughter
A person commits manslaughter (Texas Penal Code § 19.04) if they recklessly cause the death of an individual. Generally, manslaughter is a second-degree felony. As a result, you can face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. For more information on manslaughter charges in Dallas, see our manslaughter page.
Criminally Negligent Homicide
A person commits criminally negligent homicide (Texas Penal Code § 19.05) if they cause the death of an individual by criminal negligence. Generally, criminally negligent homicide cases are state jail felonies. As a result, you could face 6 months – 2 years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine. For more information about criminally negligent homicide charges in Dallas, see our criminally negligent homicide page.
Robbery
A person commits robbery (Texas Penal Code § 29.02) if in the course of committing theft and with the intent to obtain or maintain control over the property, they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to another. Robbery can also occur when a person intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death during a theft. Robbery is generally a second-degree felony. As a result, you can face 2 – 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. It’s important to work with a local robbery defense attorney to understand your options.
Aggravated Robbery
A person commits aggravated robbery (Texas Penal Code § 29.03) if they commit robbery (see above) and they cause serious bodily injury to another, use or exhibit a deadly weapon. Robbery can be aggravated if the person causes bodily injury to or threatens a disabled or elderly person with fear of imminent bodily injury or death. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony. As a result, you could face 5 – 99 years or up to life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
Disorderly Conduct
A person can commit disorderly conduct (Texas Penal Code § 42.01) in a variety of ways, most of which results in a Class C misdemeanor ticket. Disorderly conduct is a Class B misdemeanor if the person intentionally or knowingly:
- discharges a firearm in a public place other than a public road or a sport shooting range, or
- displays a firearm or other deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm
Disorderly conduct involving a firearm, as explained above, carries a possible range of punishment of up to 6 months in jail and up to a $2,000 fine. Learn more about this charge on our disorderly conduct page.
Deadly Conduct
A person commits deadly conduct (Texas Penal Code § 22.05) if they:
- recklessly engage in conduct that place another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury. OR
- a person commit an offense if he knowingly discharge a firearm at or in the direction of one or more individuals or a habitation, building, or vehicle and is reckless as to whether the habitation, building, or vehicle is occupied.
For more information about deadly conduct charges in Dallas, see our deadly conduct page.
Terroristic Threat
A person commits terroristic threat (Texas Penal Code § 22.07) if they threaten to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to:
- cause a reaction of any type to his threat by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies. OR
- place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. OR
- prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building, room, place of assembly, place to which the public has access, place of employment or occupation, aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance, or other public place. OR
- cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service. OR
- place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury. OR
- influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.
For more information about terroristic threat charges in Dallas, see our terroristic threat page.
Unlawful Restraint
A person commits unlawful restraint (Texas Penal Code § 20.02) if they intentionally or knowingly restrains another person. “Restrain” means to restrict a person’s movements without consent, so as to interfere substantially with the person’s liberty, by moving the person from one place to another or by confining the person. For more information about unlawful restraint charges in Dallas, see our unlawful restraint page.
Kidnapping
A person commits kidnapping (Texas Penal Code § 20.03) if they intentionally or knowingly abduct another person. “Abduct” means to restrain a person with the intent to prevent his liberation by: (a) secreting or holding him in a place where he is not likely to be found, or (b) using or threatening to use deadly force. For more information about kidnapping charges in Dallas, see our kidnapping page.
Aggravated Kidnapping
A person commits aggravated kidnapping (Texas Penal Code § 20.04) if they intentionally or knowingly abduct another person and use or exhibit a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense or abducts another person with the intent to:
- hold him for ransom or reward. OR
- use him as a shield or hostage. OR
- facilitate the commission of a felony or the flight after the attempt or commission of a felony. OR
- inflict bodily injury on him or violate or abuse him sexually;
- terrorize him or a third person. OR
- interfere with the performance of any governmental or political function.
For more information about aggravated kidnapping charges in Dallas, see our aggravated kidnapping section.
