Denton County Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer
Fighting to Help Our Clients Avoid Unfair, Wrongful, and Unjust Convictions
Domestic violence is a serious charge in Texas, and those facing allegations can have their lives forever upended. If police believe an alleged victim, you can fully expect them to push hard for a conviction. Sadly, prosecutors will often develop tunnel vision once a case is laid on their desk — and their primary focus will be convicting the alleged offender. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s critical to reach out for help. A Denton County domestic violence defense lawyer may be able to assist.
At Edgett Law Firm, we know what a conviction for a family violence offense can do to a person’s life. In addition to the potential for jail time, individuals accused of domestic abuse frequently face hefty fines, limitations on their Constitutional freedoms, damaged reputation, family law issues, and even deportation. When the stakes are this high, it’s important to have experienced legal representation on your side. Contact our law offices today to discuss your case. We offer free consultations, so you have nothing to lose.
What Should You Do if Facing Domestic Violence Charges?
If you’ve been recently arrested for domestic violence, it’s important for you to understand a few facts. First off, the police rarely “just want to talk.” Once they reach out to you, they typically assume your guilt. Of course, there are many cases where an alleged offender will not even get a chance to talk — such as when an arrest occurs on the spot. Regardless of the events that preceded your arrest, the most important thing you can do is remain silent.
Anyone facing criminal charges has this Constitutional right. Police and prosecutors can’t make you talk, and a judge cannot make you testify in your own case. However, remaining silent is only the first step. It’s also critical for you to reach out to a domestic violence attorney in Denton County. Whether an argument devolved into a shoving match or you’re accused of serious bodily injury stemming from sexual assault, the consequences of a conviction are disruptive and long-lasting.
If you remember nothing else, always remember to remain silent and contact an attorney as soon as possible. These basic steps could mean the difference between conviction and exoneration.
What Constitutes Family Violence in Denton County?
Domestic violence offenses take many forms in Texas. People typically envision these cases involving violence between romantic partners, but this is only part of the story. In reality, a variety of criminal acts fall into the category of family violence when they occur between individuals in a domestic relationship. In addition to romantic partners, this could include parents, children, siblings, former partners, grandparents, roommates, and others in similar relationships.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to categorize any particular domestic violence offense. This is because a variety of charges can be filed based on the circumstances of a situation. For instance, the same criminal act could result in higher penalties if physical harm occurs. Similarly, prosecutors may opt for enhanced charges and sentencing if continuous violence has allegedly occurred. Even the act of threatening a family member — known as terroristic threats — could result in a year behind bars.
The critical thing to remember is that a domestic assault case has the potential to be charged as a first-degree felony. This could lead to a prison sentence of up to 99 years — so the importance of having legal counsel should be clear. At Edgett Law Firm, we understand that being charged with an alleged offense is a scary situation. Fortunately, you don’t have to face this alone. Contact our domestic violence attorney in Denton County today to discuss your case.
Should You Just Accept a Plea for Family Violence Charges?
It may surprise you to find out, but most criminal convictions are not obtained at trial. The overwhelming majority of cases are resolved via plea negotiations. This allows the state to save money and the defendant to avoid potentially more serious penalties. Agreeing to a plea deal may seem like a good idea in your case — particularly if this is the first time you’ve been charged. However, any Denton County domestic violence lawyer will tell you that this could have disastrous outcomes. This is why you should always speak with an attorney before agreeing to anything.
Put simply, family violence charges are treated much more seriously than other crimes in Texas. For instance, if someone is assaulted by a stranger, the alleged offender would typically face a Class C misdemeanor for simple assault. However, such an assault targeting an individual inside a domestic relationship would likely be charged as a Class A misdemeanor. This can mean the difference between a hefty fine and a year behind bars. Even worse, a conviction will remain on a person’s record and affect potential future charges.
Following a first family violence conviction, any further actions deemed as domestic violence can be charged as a felony. This should make it clear why speaking with a Denton County domestic violence lawyer is so important — even if it’s the first allegation you’ve ever faced. Criminal law is extremely strict in Texas, and even if the prosecutor promises leniency in a plea deal — the simple fact is that there may be far better outcomes available to you. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.
What Should You Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer?
There is no shortage of domestic violence attorneys in Denton County who handle these complex family law matters. However, not all law firms are created equally. Take a moment to consider the facts. For one, did you know that 10% of all domestic assault allegations are false? Did you know that nearly three-fourths of male domestic violence victims are threatened with false allegations by their abuser? Unfortunately, these often result in wrongful convictions — but choosing the right criminal defense attorney can give you a fighting chance.
Here’s what you should look for:
- Experience: Edgett Law Firm has handled thousands of criminal cases since opening in 2010. This is the experience you need when charged with criminal offenses.
- Local representation: The entire team at the Edgett Law Firm works locally to handle North Texas cases. This means we have established relationships in the legal community.
- Understanding of family law matters: Domestic assault cases can directly affect a family law case (e.g. child custody, spousal support, visitation rights, etc.). Our law firm understands a conviction’s broad effects on your life.
- Online reviews: When looking for legal help, don’t settle for the first Google result. Law firms can pay to have their names up top. Take time to look over Google Reviews to get an idea of who you’re working with.
- Free consultations: People often fail to seek legal services because of perceived high costs. In fact, it’s hard to find a criminal defense lawyer who doesn’t charge for an initial consultation. However, our law firm offers free case reviews.
It’s an unfortunate fact, but false and exaggerated claims are common in child custody cases. Sadly, this is far from the only motivation that an alleged victim may have. In some instances, a person may not even need to be falsely accused by a family member. Police will occasionally make an arrest even when there’s no claim of violence. They’ll sometimes even tack on aggravating factors — common in cases where a deadly weapon is present in the home — that make it easier for the prosecutor to negotiate a plea later on.
Put simply, the deck is stacked against you. Even if no violence has occurred and no one is in imminent physical harm, you could find yourself taking on a hostile system. Our Denton County domestic violence lawyer is here to help you fight back.
Contact a Denton County Domestic Violence Defense Lawyer Today
No one initially thinks that a familial bond, dating relationship, or marriage will devolve into criminal allegations. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence. The worst part is that many of these allegations are unfounded. A person could be falsely accused by a partner seeking a protective order to secure custody of a child, and claims of physical and emotional abuse can be levied to have someone removed from their own home. Whatever your circumstances, it’s important to remember that you have rights.
We’ll help you understand all your legal options at Edgett Law Firm. Police and prosecutors will often pretend as if they want the best possible solution for everyone, and at times, this means they’ll convince you that a plea deal is in your best interest. However, you should never agree to such a deal without first speaking with a Denton County domestic violence defense lawyer. Contact us at (972) 810-3410 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. Our legal team offers aggressive and dedicated legal representation.