San Antonio Violent Crimes Attorney
Skilled Violent Crimes Attorneys in San Antonio, Texas
Being charged with a violent crime is a serious allegation that should not be taken lightly. Violent Crimes include Assault, Aggravated Assault, Deadly Conduct, Terroristic Threat, Assault of a Public Servant, Injury to the Elderly, Injury to a Child, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault.
If you have been charged with a violent crime, it is important to consult with an experienced San Antonio violent crimes attorney at Thornton Criminal Defense. An experienced attorney can help protect your rights, evaluate the strength of the evidence against you, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your case. With their expertise, they can negotiate with prosecutors or fight for you in court to minimize penalties or seek a dismissal of charges.
FORMER PROSECUTOR
San Antonio Criminal Defense Attorney Brad Thornton has spent years in court rooms fighting for justice. As a prosecutor, Brad was a leader on cases ranging from marijuana to murder from arrest to appeal. Who better to fight for your rights than someone who knows the “other side” and has tried the toughest of cases out there. Put his experience and knowledge to work for you.
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Types of Violent Crimes
Assault
Assault is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.01 as intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person, threatening them with imminent bodily injury, or physically touching someone with the intent to cause physical pain, injury or offensive contact.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.02 as using or exhibiting a deadly weapon in the commission of an assault offense, causing serious bodily injury to another person, or threatening another with imminent bodily injury while being involved in organized criminal activity.
Deadly Conduct
Deadly conduct is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.05 as recklessly engaging in activity that places another person in imminent danger of serious bodily injury.
Injury to the Elderly or a Child
Injury to the elderly is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.04 as causing serious bodily injury to an individual aged 65 or older. Injury to a child is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.04 as intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence causing any physical harm to a child including mental or emotional injury and failing to seek medical assistance for their injuries in appropriate situations.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping is defined under Texas Penal Code 20.03 as intentionally or knowingly abducting another person without their consent and with the intent to hold them for ransom or use them as a shield, facilitate flight after the commission of a felony, terrorize them or inflict bodily injury on them.
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.011 as intentionally or knowingly causing sexual penetration or contact with another person without their consent, which can include physical force, violence, threat of imminent harm, and other forms of coercion.
Indecent Assault
Indecent assault is defined under Texas Penal Code 22.012 as intentionally touching someone in an indecent manner without their consent and with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desires of any person including yourself.
Punishment Ranges
Level of Offense | Potential Incarceration | Potential Fine |
First-degree Felony | 5 - 99 years in prison | Up to $10,000 |
Second-degree Felony | 2 - 20 years in prison | Up to $10,000 |
Third-degree Felony | 2 - 10 years in prison | Up to $10,000 |
State Jail Felony | 180 days - 2 years in jail | Up to $10,000 |
Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail | Up to $4,000 |
Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days in jail | Up to $2,000 |
Defense to Violent Crime Charges in Texas
The defense to violent crimes in San Antonio, Texas depends on the specific facts of the case and the charges involved. Generally, common defenses to violent crimes include self-defense, defense of others, lack of intent, mistake of fact, and lack of evidence.
Self-defense is a valid defense to violent crime charges in San Antonio. For an individual to successfully raise self-defense as a defense in their case, they must prove that they reasonably believed that there was an imminent threat of harm or death from the alleged victim and that the use of force or violence used was necessary for protection from that threat. It is important to note that self-defense does not apply if an individual provoked the attack.
Defense of another is another form of legal defense for those accused of violent crime. This refers to situations where a person uses force or violence to defend another person from a physical attack. For this defense to be successful, it must be demonstrated that there was an imminent danger faced by the other person and likewise, only reasonable force could be used against their attacker.
Lack of intent is also a potential defense against criminal charges involving violence. This means showing that any action taken was not done with the intention or desire to injure another person. For example, if someone throws something at someone else without realizing how much damage it may cause, then they would not have had any intention of causing harm when they threw it and therefore lack intent as a valid legal defense, but depending on the situation, may just lessen the charge, instead of being an outright defense to criminal conduct altogether.
Mistake of fact is yet another line of defense that can involve demonstrating unintentional actions due to mistaken belief about certain factual circumstances surrounding the event in question. This may involve showing that there was no knowledge about whether someone had permission or authority over property or items involved in a dispute resulting in a physical altercation between parties. This might also refer to situations where one did not know another party’s age if charged with Injury Against The Elderly or Injury Against A Child offenses under Texas Penal Code 22.04 .
Finally, lack of evidence can also be used as a line of legal defense against charges involving violence. This means demonstrating that there is insufficient evidence available for a conviction on the offense charged which can involve challenging witness credibility and law enforcement testimony during trial proceedings among other strategies.
Contact Our San Antonio Violent Crimes Lawyers For a Free Consultation Today
If you have been charged with a violent crime, our San Antonio violent crimes lawyer, Attorney Brad Thornton, is dedicated to providing the best legal defense possible. Contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss your case. Your freedom and future are at stake and we take that seriously. We are committed to fighting for you and protecting your rights. Don’t go through this alone. Reach out to Attorney Brad Thornton for experienced San Antonio criminal defense representation today.