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Austin Simple Assault Lawyer — Class A Misdemeanor Defense

A simple assault charge in Austin can mean jail time, a permanent record, and real consequences for your career and family. The Hull Firm appears in Travis County Courts at Law every week. Former prosecutor on staff. Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021. Available 24/7.

Free Case Review 512-599-9999 — 24/7
✓ Over 930 dismissals or rejected cases since 2021 ✓ Former Travis County Prosecutor on Staff ✓ Available 24/7

Austin Simple Assault Defense — Travis County Courts at Law

Simple assault charges in Austin go to the Travis County Criminal Justice Center at 509 W. 11th Street. Class C misdemeanor assault is handled in Austin Municipal Court. Class A and B misdemeanor assault — the levels that carry real jail exposure — go to Travis County Courts at Law. Class A misdemeanor assault carries up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine. A conviction is permanent, shows on every background check, and can affect your job, your housing, and any pending family court matter.

I have been a criminal defense lawyer in Austin for over 20 years. Allison Tisdale prosecuted assault cases in Travis County courts before coming to the defense side. We know how the Travis County Attorney’s Office evaluates misdemeanor assault files, how they approach cases where the complaining witness is uncooperative, and where these cases have room to move. That knowledge comes from being in these courtrooms consistently — not from reading about them.

Under Texas Penal Code §22.01, simple assault does not require a weapon or serious injury. A push, a threatening gesture, or offensive contact can each support a charge. Because the statute is broad, the quality of the defense depends on whether your attorney is scrutinizing what the state can actually prove — not just what is alleged in the arrest report.

Simple Assault Results — Travis County

Dismissal Is the First Goal

Assault BI — Travis CountyDismissed
Simple Assault — Austin APDDismissed
Assault Threat — Travis Co.Dismissed
Class A Assault — AustinDismissed
Assault — Williamson CountyDismissed
Assault — Reduced / TravisReduced

Past outcomes do not guarantee future results. Every case is evaluated on its individual facts.

  • ✓ Payment Plans Available
  • ✓ Austin Office — 1004 West Ave, Austin, TX 78701
  • ✓ Affordable Fees
  • ✓ Award-Winning Firm
Get a free, confidential Austin assault case evaluation →

What We Do Immediately in Austin Simple Assault Cases

Austin simple assault lawyer — Travis County misdemeanor assault defense
  • ✓ Review arrest documents and charging language for legal and factual defects
  • ✓ Preserve body cam footage, 911 recordings, and surveillance video before deletion
  • ✓ Identify inconsistencies between witness statements and police reports
  • ✓ Evaluate self-defense, defense of others, and lack-of-intent arguments
  • ✓ Challenge probable cause and constitutional violations at arrest
  • ✓ Assess deferred adjudication and diversion eligibility for first-time offenders

Simple Assault Charge Levels in Texas

ConductLevelMax JailMax FineCourt
Offensive or provocative contactClass C MisdemeanorNone$500Austin Municipal Court
Threatening imminent bodily injuryClass B Misdemeanor180 days$2,000Travis County Courts at Law
Causing bodily injuryClass A Misdemeanor1 year$4,000Travis County Courts at Law
Bodily injury — family/household memberClass A + FV designation1 year + firearm ban$4,000Travis County Courts at Law

A family violence finding on any conviction — even Class A misdemeanor — triggers a permanent federal firearm prohibition under 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9). It cannot be expunged in Texas.

Self-Defense and Defense Strategies

Texas Penal Code §9.31 provides a complete defense when force was immediately necessary to protect yourself against another’s unlawful use of force. Texas has no general duty to retreat. The Castle Doctrine (§9.32) removes any duty to retreat in your home, vehicle, or workplace.

Beyond self-defense, the most common grounds for dismissal in Travis County simple assault cases are: insufficient evidence of the required mental state (intentional, knowing, or reckless); credibility problems with the complaining witness; inconsistencies between the 911 recording, officer’s report, and body camera; and unlawful arrest or search. Every simple assault case we accept is evaluated for its dismissal potential before any other option is considered.

Related Austin Assault Defense Pages

The Hull Firm defends the full range of assault charges across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. Each page covers the specific statute, penalties, and defense strategy for that charge type.

All Charge Levels — Travis County Austin Assault Defense Overview The full charge table, all assault types, and the defense strategies we use across every level from Class C misdemeanor to first-degree felony. Assault Defense Overview →
2nd & 1st Degree Felony Aggravated Assault Defense When serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon is involved, the charge becomes a felony. This page covers the felony charge structure and defense strategy. Aggravated Assault Defense →
Family Violence Designation Family Violence & Domestic Assault When the alleged victim is a family or household member, the stakes include a lifetime firearm prohibition and custody consequences beyond the criminal case. Family Violence Defense →
2nd Degree Felony — No Deferred Adjudication Assault with Deadly Weapon When a weapon is involved, the charge escalates to a second-degree felony. Deferred adjudication is not available. This page covers the specific defense approach. Assault with Deadly Weapon Defense →
Over 930dismissal or rejected cases since 2021
5.0Google Rating (363 Reviews)
20+Years Criminal Defense Experience

Austin Simple Assault Defense FAQ

The most searched questions about simple assault charges in Austin and Travis County — answered with the specific statutes and court procedures that apply.

Under Texas Penal Code §22.01, simple assault is defined three ways: (1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury — a Class A misdemeanor; (2) intentionally or knowingly threatening another with imminent bodily injury — a Class B misdemeanor; or (3) intentionally or knowingly causing offensive or provocative physical contact — a Class C misdemeanor. No weapon and no serious injury are required. A push, a threatening gesture, or a text message threat can each support a charge under the statute.

Class C misdemeanor assault carries a fine up to $500 and no jail time, prosecuted in Austin Municipal Court. Class B misdemeanor assault carries up to 180 days in county jail and a $2,000 fine. Class A misdemeanor assault — the most common simple assault charge — carries up to one year in Travis County Jail and a $4,000 fine. These penalties apply before collateral consequences: background check visibility, professional licensing impact, and family court complications.

Yes. The Hull Firm has achieved dismissals on simple assault cases across Travis, Williamson, and Hays County. Common grounds include: insufficient evidence of the required mental state (intentional, knowing, or reckless); credibility problems with the complaining witness; inconsistencies between the 911 recording, police report, and officer body camera; unlawful arrest or search; and valid self-defense arguments under Texas Penal Code §9.31. Dismissal is the first goal on every case we accept.

Class C misdemeanor assault (threats without contact) is handled in Austin Municipal Court at 6800 Burleson Road. Class A and B misdemeanor assault cases go to Travis County Courts at Law at the Travis County Criminal Justice Center, 509 W. 11th Street. The Hull Firm appears in both courts regularly from our Austin office.

First-time offenders charged with simple assault in Travis County have more options than repeat offenders. Deferred adjudication probation — available for Class A misdemeanor assault in cases without a family violence designation — can result in dismissal upon successful completion. Pre-trial diversion and deferred prosecution agreements also exist for qualifying cases. The Hull Firm evaluates every first-offense simple assault case for its dismissal and diversion potential before recommending any plea.

If your simple assault charge was dismissed outright or you were acquitted, it is eligible for expungement under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55, which destroys the arrest record entirely. If you completed deferred adjudication, non-disclosure — not expungement — is generally available, which seals rather than destroys the record. The Hull Firm evaluates expungement and non-disclosure eligibility on every closed case.

Say: 'I am invoking my right to remain silent and I want an attorney.' Then stop talking — do not explain, justify, or try to tell your side of the story to anyone in law enforcement. Do not contact the complaining witness. Write down every detail you remember while it is fresh. Then call The Hull Firm at 512-599-9999. We are available 24/7 and begin building your defense strategy from the day you call.

Yes. Texas Penal Code §9.31 provides that a person is justified in using force when they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect themselves against another's unlawful use of force. Texas has no general duty to retreat. The Castle Doctrine under §9.32 removes the duty to retreat in your home, vehicle, or workplace. The Hull Firm reconstructs the full context of the confrontation — who was present, what preceded the contact, who the actual aggressor was — and builds the factual record for a credible self-defense claim.

What Our Clients Say

5.0 stars • 363 Google reviews including assault defense clients from Travis, Williamson, and Hays County.

Simple Assault Charge in Austin? Call The Hull Firm Now.

Evidence disappears fast — body cam footage, 911 recordings, and surveillance video are all on deletion timelines. Early intervention gives your defense the most options. Our Austin assault defense attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 512-599-9999 — we start working your case the day you call.

Free Case Review 512-599-9999

The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this page. Contact The Hull Firm for a free, confidential consultation specific to your case.

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