5 Types of Assault in Texas and the Gravity of Each Offense

 Posted on March 14, 2024 in Assault

The term “assault” covers a broad range of violent crimes, ranging from relatively minor misdemeanors to serious felonies. Simple assault cases often stem from bar fights or minor disputes between friends or neighbors that lead to one party pushing the other. More serious assaults might involve the use of a weapon and serious bodily harm to the victim. If you are facing any type of assault charge, it is important to find a skilled Prosper, TX, criminal defense lawyer. Assault charges can sometimes be downgraded in seriousness or dismissed for lack of evidence when law enforcement did not witness the altercation.

Types of Assault and Their Seriousness

Types of assault charges in Texas include:

• Simple assault - Misdemeanor assault is very easy to commit in the midst of an argument. Simply throwing a half-empty paper cup at your neighbor during an argument over parking could be considered an assault. No injury to the victim is required.
• Family violence - Commonly called domestic violence, an assault committed against a romantic partner, family member (including in-laws and former in-laws), roommates, or former partner could be upgraded from simple assault to family violence. Although this crime is slightly more serious - and certainly more stigmatized - it is normally still a misdemeanor. Repeated offenses may lead to felony charges for continuous family violence.
• Assault causing bodily injury - Instead of a paper cup, you threw a gardening tool at your neighbor, and it cut him, or at least hurt him. Assault involving bodily injury can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the seriousness of the injury and other factors. 
• Aggravated assault -  Aggravated assault is a felony. This type of assault means that the victim suffered a serious injury. That garden spade you threw at the neighbor cut him, and he needed stitches. Aggravated assault also includes assault with a deadly weapon. If you chased your neighbor with an axe, this might be aggravated assault, even if you did not hit him with it. 
• Assault against a child - Child abuse is an extremely serious crime. If the person you assaulted was a minor child you are likely facing a serious felony charge. While parents have some legal ability to use corporal discipline against their own children, causing injury to or inflicting more serious violence against your child can still result in felony charges. Courts in Texas take the protection of children very seriously. 

Assault charges in Texas should be taken seriously, regardless of how the offense is charged.

Contact a Collin County, TX, Assaultive Offenses Lawyer

Law Offices of Biederman & Burleson P.L.L.C. is highly knowledgeable about the different assault charges that can be brought in Texas. Our experienced Prosper, TX, assault crimes attorneys will work to mitigate the seriousness of your alleged offense. Contact us at 469-333-3333 for a complimentary consultation.