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Accused of Assault in Austin?

Your Freedom and Future Are on the Line

One allegation can affect where you live, who you can contact, your job, your firearm rights, and your relationship with your children.

The Hull Firm defends people accused of assault, aggravated assault, domestic abuse, dating violence, and family violence throughout Austin and Travis County.

Get your side of the story protected before evidence disappears or the case moves forward without you.

Call 512-599-9999

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  • Google-Rated 5-Star Law Firm
  • Former Prosecutor on the Defense Team
  • 20+ Years in Austin Courts
  • Payment Plans Available

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An Assault Arrest Can Change Your Life Immediately

Before you have been convicted of anything, an assault or family-violence allegation may result in:

  • Jail and restrictive bond conditions
  • An emergency protective order
  • Being ordered to leave your home
  • No contact with your spouse, partner, or family
  • Restrictions involving your children
  • Firearm restrictions
  • Employment or professional-license problems
  • A permanent criminal record
  • Enhanced penalties for a future allegation

Do not assume the situation will resolve itself because the other person wants to “drop the charges.” Once police and prosecutors are involved, the decision may no longer belong to the person who made the allegation.

Talk to an Austin assault lawyer before making another statement.

Speak With a Defense Lawyer

Assault Charges and Potential Penalties

The consequences depend on the alleged conduct, claimed injuries, relationship between the parties, use of a weapon, and prior criminal history.

Assault by Threat or Offensive Contact

Threatening imminent bodily injury or making allegedly offensive or provocative physical contact may be charged as a Class C misdemeanor, carrying a fine of up to $500.

Assault Causing Bodily Injury

Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury is generally a Class A misdemeanor punishable by:

  • Up to one year in county jail
  • A fine of up to $4,000

Felony Family-Violence Assault

An assault involving bodily injury may become a third-degree felony when the allegation involves strangulation or impeded breathing, or when the accused has a qualifying prior family-violence conviction.

A third-degree felony may carry:

  • 2 to 10 years in prison
  • A fine of up to $10,000

Aggravated Assault

An assault may become aggravated assault when the State alleges serious bodily injury or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon.

Aggravated assault is generally a second-degree felony carrying:

  • 2 to 20 years in prison
  • A fine of up to $10,000

Certain aggravated assaults can become first-degree felonies, including some cases involving a deadly weapon and serious bodily injury against a family member, household member, or dating partner.

A first-degree felony may carry:

  • 5 to 99 years or life in prison
  • A fine of up to $10,000

The precise charge and punishment range depend on the facts, prior record, alleged relationship, claimed injuries, and any applicable enhancement.

Review My Charges and Options

Assault and Family-Violence Cases We Defend

The Hull Firm represents clients accused of:

  • Assault causing bodily injury
  • Assault by threat
  • Assault by physical contact
  • Aggravated assault
  • Assault involving a deadly weapon
  • Assault involving serious bodily injury
  • Domestic assault or domestic abuse
  • Assault against a family or household member
  • Dating-violence assault
  • Assault by strangulation or impeded breathing
  • Repeat family-violence assault
  • Assault against a spouse or former spouse
  • Assault involving a roommate or former roommate
  • Assault involving the parent of a shared child
  • Violating a protective order
  • Assault allegations connected to divorce or custody disputes

“Domestic abuse” is commonly used to describe these allegations, but the criminal charge may be filed as assault, assault involving family violence, aggravated assault, or another offense based on the alleged conduct.

An Accusation Is Not the Whole Story

Assault cases often begin during a chaotic argument. Police may arrive after the incident, separate everyone, and make an arrest based on incomplete or conflicting information.

A strong defense starts by preserving and examining evidence such as:

  • 911 calls and dispatch records
  • Police body-camera footage
  • Photographs of injuries—or the absence of injuries
  • Text messages, emails, and social-media messages
  • Security-camera or doorbell footage
  • Witness statements
  • Medical records
  • Prior threats or inconsistent statements
  • Evidence showing who initiated the confrontation
  • Evidence supporting self-defense or defense of another person
  • The timing and circumstances of the allegation
  • Divorce, custody, housing, or relationship disputes connected to the accusation

The defense should not rely exclusively on the police report. Video, messages, witnesses, and physical evidence may tell a different story.

Family-Violence Allegations Carry Additional Consequences

Texas family-violence law can apply to more than married couples. It may cover allegations involving:

  • Current or former spouses
  • Current or former dating partners
  • Parents of the same child
  • Relatives
  • Foster parents and foster children
  • Current or former members of the same household
  • Roommates and former roommates

A family-violence finding may affect protective orders, firearm possession, future criminal charges, employment, housing, divorce proceedings, and child-custody matters.

Even a misdemeanor case can create consequences that continue long after the criminal case ends. Every proposed plea or resolution should be evaluated for both its immediate and long-term effects.

How We Challenge Assault Allegations

Self-Defense

Texas law permits the use of force in certain circumstances. We examine who initiated the confrontation, whether force was reasonably believed necessary, and whether video, injuries, or witness accounts support self-defense.

False or Exaggerated Allegations

Arguments, breakups, custody disputes, and conflicting accounts can produce allegations that do not match the evidence. We compare statements against messages, recordings, photographs, and independent witnesses.

Lack of Intent or Knowledge

Not every accidental injury or physical contact satisfies the elements of assault. The required mental state depends on how the offense was charged.

Conflicting Statements

Changes between the 911 call, body-camera interview, written statement, medical history, and later testimony may affect credibility and the strength of the prosecution’s case.

Insufficient Proof of Injury or a Deadly Weapon

Aggravated charges depend on specific legal elements. The State must prove the alleged serious bodily injury or deadly weapon—not simply use those labels.

Constitutional Violations

Statements, searches, seizures, and arrests must comply with constitutional requirements. Illegally obtained evidence may be challenged.

Why Choose The Hull Firm?

Google-Rated 5-Star Law Firm

The Hull Firm has earned a 5-star rating on Google from clients who turned to the firm when the stakes were high.

Former Prosecutor on the Defense Team

Our team understands how prosecutors evaluate criminal cases and what evidence can change the direction of a prosecution.

More Than 20 Years in Austin Courts

Mark Hull has defended clients in Austin and Travis County courts for more than two decades.

960+ Cases Dismissed or Rejected Since 2021

The firm has secured more than 960 dismissed or rejected cases across Austin and Central Texas since 2021.

Early, Evidence-Focused Defense

We work to preserve messages, video, photographs, witness information, and other evidence before it is lost.

Free Consultations and Payment Plans

Discuss your situation confidentially at no cost. Payment-plan options are available.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its individual facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

The complaining witness does not personally control whether a criminal charge is dismissed. The prosecutor decides whether to continue the case. However, the witness’s statements, cooperation, credibility, and other evidence may affect that decision.

An assault may become aggravated assault when the State alleges serious bodily injury or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. Aggravated assault is generally a felony and carries substantially greater potential punishment.

Family violence can involve current or former spouses, dating partners, relatives, parents of the same child, foster relationships, and current or former household members. The parties do not necessarily have to be married or currently living together.

An allegation that someone intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly impeded a family or household member’s breathing or blood circulation may elevate an assault causing bodily injury to a felony. The State must still prove the alleged conduct and every required element.

Self-defense may apply when a person reasonably believes force is immediately necessary to protect against another person’s unlawful force. Whether it applies depends on the specific facts, the amount of force used, and the available evidence.

Follow every bond condition, protective order, and no-contact instruction exactly. Do not assume that an invitation, apology, or incoming message gives you permission to respond. Speak with your attorney before making contact.

An attorney may be able to preserve evidence, communicate with investigators, advise you about questioning, and begin preparing your defense before an arrest or formal charge occurs.

Do Not Let One Allegation Define Your Future

Assault and family-violence cases can move quickly. Messages can be deleted, video can be overwritten, witnesses can disappear, and protective orders can be issued before you have fully presented your side.

Get an experienced Austin criminal defense team involved now.

Call The Hull Firm at 512-599-9999

Free Consultation • Available 24/7 • Payment Plans Available

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