Arlington, TX Family Violence Defense Attorney

Reliable Defense Lawyer for Family Violence Charges in Arlington

Charges involving family violence may have significant stakes for the accused, as crimes of violence against household members are treated with grave seriousness. If you have been accused of domestic abuse, consider reaching out to an Arlington, TX family violence defense attorney who can meet with you in private and discuss your avenues to contest these allegations.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can provide you with counsel and representation to defend against charges involving family violence. Our criminal defense lawyer has over a decade of experience, so you can take comfort in knowing that your case will be handled by a knowledgeable, practiced lawyer.

Penalties for Assault Against a Family Member

Under the Texas Penal Code, a person convicted of intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to a household member faces Class A misdemeanor punishments of confinement in jail for up to a year and fines as high as $4,000. However, if the offender has a prior history of family violence, assault on a family member could be charged as a third-degree felony, which carries a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Continuous family violence refers to an offender committing two or more abusive acts toward a family member within a twelve-month period, carrying third-degree felony punishments for a conviction. In addition to incarceration and fines, courts may order mandatory anger management, batterer intervention programs, and restitution to victims. Repeat offenders may face enhanced punishments and extended probation requirements.

What Is Family Violence and Dating Violence?

Family violence encompasses various criminal acts like assault, terroristic threat, stalking, or kidnapping when committed against individuals related by blood, marriage, or household residency. The term also includes protective order violations, which often arise from allegations of family violence.

Dating violence, defined in the Texas Family Code, covers assaultive or threatening behavior between current or former dating partners who have a relationship characterized by regular interaction, continuity, and expectation of affection or sexual involvement. A single act of violence may suffice to establish dating violence if the relationship meets statutory criteria.

Family violence and dating violence can trigger civil protections, such as emergency protective orders, and can lead to enhanced criminal charges. Law enforcement responds to these cases with heightened scrutiny, and prosecutors often pursue them aggressively given the risk of escalation.

How Will a Family Violence Conviction Affect Me?

Beyond criminal sanctions, a family violence conviction carries profound collateral consequences. A protective order may bar contact with the alleged victim and can precipitate loss of child-custody rights or supervised visitation. Convicted individuals lose the right to possess firearms under both state and federal law. Employment prospects could diminish when a conviction appears on a background check, and educational opportunities, including eligibility for certain financial aid, may be jeopardized. Immigration status can be at risk for non-citizens.

Defense strategies for allegations of family violence often focus on challenging the sufficiency of evidence—disputing whether injuries qualify as bodily injury, contesting identification of the defendant as the aggressor, and scrutinizing police reports for procedural errors.

Where appropriate, self-defense or defense of others may negate criminal intent. An experienced attorney can negotiate reductions to non-violent misdemeanors, pursue deferred adjudication to avoid a formal conviction, and work to preserve civil rights and future opportunities despite serious allegations.

Meet With an Arlington, Texas Family Violence Defense Lawyer

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can help you defend against allegations of family or dating violence in court, seeking the best possible outcome to your case through aggressive advocacy. We will explore all viable defenses for the charges you face as we review all of the available evidence. To schedule your free consultation today, call our offices at 817-732-6392 or contact our Arlington family violence defense attorney.