If you have been accused of assault, the stakes are high. A conviction will remain on your record for life, and you’ll likely end up with a heavy fine or in jail. Your record can hurt your chances of getting the job you want, which can cost you even more money in the long run. When your the rest of your life is on the line, hiring an aggressive and experienced Austin criminal defense lawyer is the best investment you can make in your future. The McMinn Law Firm is a team of criminal defense attorneys dedicated to asserting the right of clients, especially in cases that include domestic violence or assault.

Domestic cases often involve two very different sides to the same story. Make sure that your story is heard and defended by a strong, experienced Austin Criminal Defense Lawyer. Domestic violence charges may affect your ability to see the people you love most: your family. You could spend up to one year in county jail and/or a $4,000 fine. If this is your second charge, the State of Texas will charge you with a felony. Most central Texas prosecutors are less likely to offer reduced charges or plea bargains in these types of cases.

A protective order may be issued against you preventing you from returning your home or going near your loved ones. When facing the serious consequences of a domestic violence charge, the McMinn Law Firm will take necessary action to defeat the charges against you.

The Travis County Court had nearly 2,000 new assault related cases filed in 2007, accounting for 17 percent of the court’s total cases. Compared to the five largest urban counties, Travis was considered above average in this area of crime. That same year, 50 percent of the total cases tried in the county had convictions. Oftentimes, the difference between conviction and being declared innocent is whether or not you have a good Austin criminal lawyer representing you.

As advocates experienced with the criminal process, the McMinn Law Firm knows the necessary steps to take to protect your rights. From your arrest, to your first court appearance, through the resolution of your case, our attorneys will provide the advice, advocacy, and necessary legal strategy to optimize the results in your case.

If you are involved in an assault or family violence case and live in the Austin, Texas area, you need a tested Austin criminal defense lawyer. The experienced attorneys at the McMinn Law Firm LLP, located in Austin, Texas, will provide intelligent, resourceful and aggressive legal counsel on criminal defense and personal injury cases. When the outcome of your legal situation can depend on the quality of your legal counsel, it is critical that you retain an Austin criminal defense lawyer who is fully committed to safeguarding your rights and representing you in a court of law.

Assault and family violence are serious issues that may simply start as a disagreement and grow into a far bigger problem. Here in Travis County, we have a court specifically designated to handle all assault family violence cases. Judge Mike Denton in County Court at Law #4 presides over all these cases in Travis County.

Domestic violence involves physical violence or threats of violence upon a spouse, a person with whom an individual is living with, or a person who is the mother/father of the aggravator’s child.

Crimes of violence include:
- The assault/abuse of a spouse
- Battery/assault of another individual you aren’t related to
- Criminal threats or threatening phone calls
- Assault with serious bodily injury
- Assault with a deadly weapon

Domestic violence cases can be classified as felonies or misdemeanors. If there are severe cuts or broken bones involved, then the aggravator will be charged with a felony. If there is no injury, or slight scrapes and bruises, the case will be classified as a misdemeanor. If the individual who inflicted the violence has had previous conviction for assault family violence, then the case will be filed as a felony. In Texas, you will be charged with a felony if it is your second domestic violence charge. If the defendant is charged with a felony he or she could serve up to ten years in jail, but if the charge is a misdemeanor the maximum jail time would be no more than a year.

In most violence cases the outcome comes down to your word against the victim’s. If the court sides with the victim there will be long-term consequences aside from jail time. A conviction for assault or violence could remain on your criminal record, hindering your chances of finding a job or taking away your rights to visitation of your children. You may also lose your right to hold firearms, and if you aren’t a U.S. citizen you can face deportation or have your citizenship denied.

If you are charged with assault family violence, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. In many cases, the judge will issue an Emergency Protective Order as a result of the allegations of assault. Hiring an attorney experienced with assault family violence cases at the beginning will help protect your rights.