Cases of domestic violence in Texas has been on the rise since 2011 (Texas Sees Increase in Domestic Violence Reports , 2017). The statistics in the state Department of Public Safety show that about 214000 people in Texas have been victims of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence: Misdemeanor or Felony Offense?
Misdemeanors and felonies are criminal offenses that are punished differently. A misdemeanor charge is sentenced up to a year, and the offender is not necessarily taken to a maximum security prison, while a felony is punishable by more than a year in prison. A felony is a more serious offense than a misdemeanor. If you’re charged with a felony offense in Harris County, you’ll need the best Houston criminal justice lawyer you can find to give you a fighting chance at avoiding what’s sure to be a lengthy jail sentence. We recommend Attorney Mark W. Bennett of the Bennett & Bennett law firm. Their phone number is 713-224-1747.
With that being said, you might be wondering whether domestic violence is a misdemeanor or a felony offense. But first, you should understand what domestic violence entails to comprehend where domestic violence falls in entirely.
Domestic violence refers to any abuse inducted upon a family member or a spouse. Domestic violence can be characterized as both a misdemeanor or a felony; it depends on the extent of damage that results from the offense. A misdemeanor domestic violence typically comprises of verbal abuse and minor assault battery. Unfortunately, if you are convicted more than twice with a misdemeanor domestic violence, it can prelude to a felony domestic violence.
A felony domestic violence as mentioned above is more critical. This offense can result in possible do-time in prison, be fined heavily and even get a restraining order against you. The following is a short list of events or outcomes that can lead a domestic violence offense to be categorized as a felony:
The occurrence of serious violent altercations that can cause severe injuries or even ultimately death.
Battery inflicted to a minor or a child.
If a deadly weapon is involved; let’s say a firearm, hunting knife or brass knuckles.
Inappropriate sexual acts
Acts involving conduct of an inappropriate sexual nature
You should note that a felony domestic violence charge is hard to expunge from your records. However, after many years of good behavior, it can get obsolete.
Also, whether it’s a misdemeanor domestic violence or a felony domestic violence, you can never underestimate these charges. You should find yourself a good lawyer to get you through it.
Therefore, since there has been a drastic rise in domestic violence in Texas, the state take-on on the offense is very serious.
Top Causes of Houston Family Assaults & Domestic Violence Cases
The primary causes of domestic violence include:
Physical abuse – mostly start off with drug abuse and alcohol
Financial abuse – involves unemployment of one of the partners hence dependent on the other
iii. Psychological abuse – involves comments that lower self-esteem of your partner or family member.
Emotional abuse – involves anger, jealousy and envy
History of domestic violence in a family can be passed on. Young adults and children may get negative lessons from domestic abuse at home.
In case you sense any form of domestic abuse as aforementioned, you need to be careful so that you don’t become just another number in the statistics of domestic violence in Texas.
You’ll need a criminal defense lawyer in Houston if you’re facing criminal allegations in Harris County due to claims by law enforcement of your criminal wrongdoing. There are number of criminal defense attorneys in the greater Houston area and we recommend that you talk with at least three of them prior to making a decision about which lawyer you’ll retain to represent you.
Life in the Harris County Jail in Downtown Houston
Texas Loves Convictions
In Texas, Dist. Atty.’s pride themselves on how many people they can send to jail, regardless of whether the evidence is compelling enough to put reasonable doubt on it’s back. It’s probably best to have a lawyer that is a former district attorney/assistant Dist. Atty. working out of the Harris County prosecutor’s office. If you do hire an attorney to represent you, it’s best that they have some experience as a prosecutor so that they may have an advantage during their efforts to successfully represent you as your criminal defense attorney.
Be Honest With Your Attorney
One of the most important things that you can do to help in your defense is to be honest with your attorney.
Being as honest as you can with your Houston attorney is a surefire way to give them all the tools that they need to competently represent your position as they argue on your behalf in the court of law. If your attorney is made to look like a fool in front of jurors during your criminal trial then it could result in credibility questions about your lawyer, which may result in you being jailed for a crime that you may or may not have committed.
Take care to seek experienced legal representation if you’re facing criminal charges in the Houston area, your life may depend on it.
If you’ve been arrested for any type of crime, be it a misdemeanor, felony, or federal criminal, you will need strong and aggressive legal representation in order to remain among the free, and avoid consequences that will be imposed on you as a result of being convicted in the court of law.
Although Texas is a state that has a relatively low crime rate when compared to the rest of the United States of America, crime does happen here. State legislators, County judges, in Texas prosecutors alike, are dedicated to initiating the absolute most excruciating punishment possible for defendants who were unlucky enough to be found guilty and convicted of their infraction against the law in this state.
Prosecutors in Brazoria County
Brazoria criminal attorneys know how serious it is going up against prosecutors in the Brazoria County court of law. They tend to be relentless in their pursuit of a conviction, regardless of whether or not the evidence support the charges. In fact, one Brazoria County prosecutor resigned after being arrested for DWI, criminally charged, and given a court date. This should show you the integrity of prosecutors that operate out of the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.
Aggressive Law Enforcement
If you’re ever slapped with a criminal charge by the overzealous law enforcement officers that aggressively enforce law and policy in Brazoria County, Texas, we strongly recommend that you seek out and find the absolute best criminal defense lawyer that you can in order to secure a strong defense of your rights, and hopefully avoid jail.
Always Hire a Defense Lawyer
Where the you’ve been accused of murder, a drug crime, possession and delivery of methamphetamines, growing, selling, or distributing marijuana, you are facing serious charges. Even if you’ve been accused of a sex crime, and the evidence points to your guilt, having the right criminal lawyer your side can mean the difference between being sentenced to five years, and being forced to serve life in a Texas prison facility.
Brazoria criminal defense lawyers of all experience levels always advise their clients to not break laws while their case is in litigation as he can make matters worse for criminal defense efforts. Just imagine being on trial for serious felony, your attorney is getting the best of the prosecution, your stupid ass ends up getting criminally charged with another offense. They’ll throw you in jail forever if they could, and the worst thing that you could do is help them destroy you. Always take the advice of your attorney when you’re facing criminal charges and you have legal representative, and never act against her own best interest when seeking to secure your freedom.
With that being said, you might be wondering whether domestic violence is a misdemeanor or a felony offense. But first, you should understand what domestic violence entails to comprehend where domestic violence falls in entirely.
