If you have been charged with a violent crime in Georgetown, you could face very serious penalties if convicted of the offense. Some of these punishments and repercussions can include:
- Ineligibility to apply for certain jobs or occupations,
- Ineligibility to apply for certain educational opportunities,
- An inability to receive some types of government assistance and scholarships,
- A possibly permanent criminal record,
- Jail or prison sentences, and/or
- Fines.
However, before an individual can be sentenced to any of these penalties, they must first be convicted of their alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. The state prosecutor has the difficult burden to meet this standard of proof, which is the highest burden of proof and very difficult to meet. If the prosecution is unable to meet their burden, the charges against the alleged offender may be reduced or even dismissed.
If you have been charged with violent crime offense in Georgetown or any of the surrounding areas, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who will make every effort to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your particular situation.
Georgetown Violent Crime Lawyer
If you have been charged with any violent offense in Georgetown, or any of the surrounding areas of Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton or Harker Heights, contact Price & Twine, PLLC
Attorneys Michael J. Price is knowledgeable in all areas of Texas’ violent crime laws and will make every effort to fight the allegations against you. Call Price & Twine, PLLC for a free consultation at (512) 930-3074 about your alleged violent crime.
Georgetown Violent Crimes Information Center
- Georgetown Violent Crimes
- Bodily Injury in Texas
- Violent Crime Penalties in Georgetown
- Defenses to Violent Crimes in Texas
- Georgetown Resources for Violent Crimes
Georgetown Violent Crimes
Some of the most common violent crime offenses in Texas can include, but are not limited to, the following:
Assault – Tex. Penal Code § 22.01 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they:
- Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cause bodily injury to another person, including their spouse;
- Intentionally or knowingly threaten another person to cause bodily injury, including their spouse; or
- Knowingly or intentionally cause physical contact to another person they know or should reasonably believe will be perceived as offensive or provocative.
This offense is generally punishable as a Class A misdemeanor or a felony of the third degree.
Aggravated Assault – Tex. Penal Code § 22.02 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they commit assault and cause serious bodily injury to another person or commit assault against another person with a deadly weapon. This offense is punishable as a felony of the second or first degree.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon – Tex. Penal Code § 22.02 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they commit assault against another person with a deadly weapon. A conviction for this offense can result in a felony of the first or second degree.
Kidnapping – Tex. Penal Code § 20.03 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they intentionally and knowingly abduct another person. This offense is punishable as a felony of the third degree.
Unlawful Restraint – Tex. Penal Code § 20.02 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they intentionally or knowingly restrain another person. This offense is punishable as a Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony or felony of the third degree.
Manslaughter – Tex. Penal Code § 19.04 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they recklessly cause the death of another person. This offense is punishable as a felony of the second degree.
Homicide – Tex. Penal Code § 19.03 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence cause the death of another person. This includes other offenses, including murder, capital murder, manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.
Murder – Tex. Penal Code § 19.02 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another person; intend to cause serious bodily injury to another person and commits an act that causes the other person’s death; or during the commission of a felony offense or attempting to commit a felony causes the death of another person (felony-murder). This offense is punishable as a felony of the second or first degree.
Bodily Injury in Texas
Bodily injury is defined in Texas as any physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition under section 1.07(a)(8) of the Tex. Penal Code.
The term “serious bodily injury” is defined in section 1.07(a)(46) of the Tex. Penal Code as any bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, impairment of any body organ or extended loss of any body organ.
Violent Crime Penalties in Georgetown
As defined in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code, the penalties for violent crimes can vary depending on a number of factors, including whether a weapon was used in the commission of the offense, whether bodily injury or death occurred as a result of the offense, whether the victim was elderly or disabled and whether the alleged offender has a previous criminal history. The basic statutory penalties are as follows:
- An individual who has been charged with a Class A misdemeanor violent crime can face a jail sentence up to one year and/or a fine not more than $4,000 if convicted.
- An individual who has been charged with a state jail felony violent crime can face a jail sentence from 180 days to two years and/or a fine up to $10,000, if convicted.
- An individual who has been charged with a felony of the third degree violent crime can face a prison sentence from two to ten years and/or a fine not more than $10,000, if convicted.
- An individual who has been charged with a felony of the second degree violent crime can face a prison sentence from two to 20 years and/or a fine not exceeding $10,000, if convicted.
- An individual who has been charged with a felony of the first degree violent crime can face a prison sentence from five years to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine not more than $10,000, if convicted.
Defenses to Violent Crimes in Texas
Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code provides for defenses to certain criminal defense in Texas. Although defenses are not applicable in every situation, your Georgetown criminal defense lawyer will help identify if any defenses are available for the facts surrounding your particular case.
Justification – An individual may be able to use this defense if they committed an act that would otherwise be a criminal act in order to prevent public or private in an emergency situation.
Self Defense – An individual may be able to use this defense if they reasonably believed an individual was going to cause them death or serious bodily injury or to protect themselves from an attack by another person.
Lack of Intent – An individual may be able to use this defense if they did not have the required to commit a violent crime if the offense required intent as an element to prosecution for the offense.
Defense of Others – An individual may be able to use this defense if they reasonably believed another person was about to be harmed by death or serious bodily injury by an attack from another person.
Defense of Property – An individual may be able to use this defense if they used force against another person who was damaging or about to damage their property, or to prevent an intruder from entering their home, vehicle or residence.
Georgetown Resources for Violent Crimes
Texas Penal Code – Assaultive Offenses –Chapter 22 of the Texas Penal Code defines many laws regarding assaultive offenses in Texas, including assault and rape, and the penalties if an individual is convicted of committing an offense.
The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) – This national non-profit organization aids individuals who have been victims of violent crimes and provides assistance to individuals, families and communities after they have been harmed by crimes of violence.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – This link is to the Victim Services Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This site provides direct and person service to victims of crimes and their families throughout Texas. Some of the services provided by the Victim Impact Unit include the Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse (TxCVC), Victim Impact Statement, Crime Victim Assistance Standards and a victim online resources directory.
Price & Twine, PLLC | Round Rock Violent Crimes Attorney
Contact Price & Twine, PLLC today for a consultation about your alleged violent crime throughout Williamson County in Texas. Michael J. Price is an experienced criminal defense lawyer in Georgetown who will make every effort to help you avoid the most serious penalties and repercussions to the allegations against you.
Contact Price & Twine, PLLC at (512) 354-1880 for a consultation about your violent crime charges throughout Williamson County and Bell County in Texas.