In the state of Texas, any violent act against a household member, family member, or intimate partner is considered to be domestic violence. This may include violence against spouses, former spouses, children, foster children, or parents. There are three separate domestic violence crimes in Texas, and we’ll discuss them below.
Domestic Assault
A domestic assault case involves the intentional or reckless infliction of physical harm, the threat of imminent physical harm, or the intentional touching of a victim in a provocative or offensive way. If an offender has no prior record, it’s a Class A misdemeanor. However, if they have any past domestic assault charges, it’s a felony.
Aggravated Assault
An aggravated domestic assault is one where a perpetrator recklessly or intentionally causes serious harm to another person or they display a weapon during an assault. Aggravated domestic assault is a felony if a weapon is used or if grievous bodily harm is caused. Other forms are considered second-degree felonies. Consult a San Antonio domestic violence attorney for more details.
Continuous Family Violence
If someone has committed two or more domestic assaults within the last year, they can be convicted of continuous family violence, which is a third-degree felony. The prior assaults needn’t have resulted in an arrest or a conviction, and they can be committed against more than one victim.
Domestic Violence Punishments
In Texas, punishments for domestic violence vary. For Class A misdemeanors, a defendant may face up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $4000. For third-degree felonies, prison sentences range from two to ten years, and fines may be up to $10,000. Second-degree felony charges carry a prison term of up to 20 years and a $10,000 fine, and first-degree felonies can bring up to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Call Today for Legal Advice
A conviction for domestic violence becomes a part of your permanent record, even for a misdemeanor. Having such charges on your record will affect your life, your career, and your rights as an American. Call the Law Office of Jesse Hernandez to consult a San Antonio domestic violence attorney.
