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Family Assault

Assault encompasses a large area of conduct. If you even recklessly or inadvertently cause someone pain, you may very well be charged with the Class A misdemeanor of assault, punishable by up to 1 year in jail. If that assault is committed against a family member, it will be charged as a family violence case. A family member is broadly defined, and includes former spouses and girlfriends/boyfriends, in-laws, grandchildren, etc.

Assault with family violence convictions — and deferred adjudications — include serious consequences. You may be required to take intensive Batterers Intervention Program classes of 18 or 52 weeks duration, or even longer. Your rights to possess firearms may be revoked. A protective order can be entered against you, barring you from your own home — even prior to conviction. If you are convicted or placed on deferred adjudication, any subsequent arrest for family violence assault will be charged as a felony.

As with a Texas DWI penalty, this kind of charge presents a confusing array of consequences and options. An experienced lawyer provides invaluable advice on how to proceed with these cases. Viktor Olavson has successfully handled many hundreds of family violence assault cases, including protective order issues, modification of bond conditions, felony enhancements and probation violations.