Family violence charges in Waco

An argument can become a serious legal matter when a spouse or family member calls 911. Once law enforcement is involved, the situation can become something the alleged victim never considered. Police and prosecuting attorneys treat those accused of domestic violence very harshly. After law enforcement makes an arrest, it will be in the prosecutor’s hands to decide whether to press charges. Our attorneys are experienced in domestic violence cases. We provide our clients with an outstanding strategy and spot weakness in the prosecution’s domestic violence case. Call us at 254-753-6437 for a free 30-minute consultation.

Arrested for domestic violence in McLennan County

Our Waco criminal defense attorneys aggressively defend against family violence assault charges and other family violence allegations. We are prepared to protect you against all types of family violence charges, including:

  • Family violence assault
  • Spousal abuse
  • Child abuse
  • Other family violence charges

Men and women alike may are improperly accused of spousal abuse, domestic violence, neglect, child abuse, and restraining order violations. These are all sensitive matters that you should address immediately with a Waco domestic violence lawyer who can assert your rights to avoid unjust convictions. Our criminal defense attorneys have represented criminal defendants since 1925. 

Questions about the Waco criminal process 

You likely have a lot of questions if this is the first time you have have been caught up in the Waco justice system. We have assembled a group of questions and answers designed to generally give you information about the criminal law process

What are the statistics behind domestic violence? 

Anyone can be a domestic violence victim, but the State of Texas reports that 72% of the victims are women. Family violence also mainly affects people between 20 and 40.  

  • The Texas Council on Family Violence estimates that one in three Texans will be victims of domestic violence during their lifetime
  • In 2015, 194,872 family violence incidents were reported to Texas law enforcement. 
  • Intimate partner violence accounts for fifteen percent of all violent crimes.
  • Twenty-four percent of women and fourteen percent of men aged 18 and older in the United States have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
  • On a typical day, there are more than 20,000 phone calls placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide.
  • Nearly 29% of women and 10% of men in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and stalking by partners and report a related impact on their functioning.
  • Nearly half of all people in the United States have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner. 
  • A current or former intimate partner stalked 66.2% of female stalking victims.
  • A child witnessed violence in 22% of intimate partner violence cases filed in state courts.

About Family Violence Offenses

Domestic violence also referred to as family violence, is generally defined in Texas as any assault on a relative or household member. A first offense of this kind may result in imprisonment for up to 1 year and fines of up to $4,000. Repeat offenders will likely face felony charges and increased penalties, and this also applies in cases involving serious bodily injury. Domestic violence may be entirely physical or may also include emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, or child endangerment.

Domestic violence in Waco is any form of violence or abuse between people who live together, family members, people in romantic relationships, spouses, or ex-spouses. Domestic violence could be against a spouse, former spouse, roommate, previous roommate, boyfriend/girlfriend, or former boyfriend/girlfriend, the parent of your child or any parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or cousin.

Texas laws have become focused on protecting the victims. Unfortunately, an honest misunderstanding can be reported as a crime, and innocent people get arrested. Being accused of domestic violence in Waco can get you arrested, forced from your home, your firearms removed, and blocked from seeing your children.  The victims do receive much-deserved protection, but it’s essential for those accused of family violence to have an experienced attorney to ensure a good defense.

If you have been arrested, charged, or suspected domestic violence, it’s vital to know what you’re up against. 

In multiple domestic violence cases, someone shows anger and physically injures another family member. But in other cases, false accusations are made to control a divorce, child custody, or another disagreement. Sorting out the “he-said/she-said” of family conflict is almost always challenging. In separate incidents, neighbors summon the police due to a loud argument, and someone is arrested for nothing more than a loud disagreement.

False accusation of domestic violence in Waco Texas

At best, a false accusation of domestic violence occurs when someone wants to “teach a lesson” to the other person and wants the police to come calm everyone down during a verbal argument. The complaining person does not know how difficult it will be to set the record straight after making that call. Other situations are outright lies where someone is trying to prepare for a child custody battle or an advantage in divorce. If you have been arrested for family violence, it is best to stop trying to convince the police that they are wrong. At that point, it is best to remain silent and let a skilled domestic violence attorney advocate for you.

Why You Need an Attorney for Domestic Violence Defense in Waco

It is wise to talk with an experienced criminal defense lawyer when you are charged with domestic violence because it can harm many other aspects of life. With a domestic violence defense attorney, you can stop incriminating yourself, fight for the charges to be dropped, develop a strong defense, and defend against a restraining order. The arrest, prosecution, or conviction for family violence can be used against you in a divorce, family law, or child custody matter. If you are not a United States citizen, a domestic violence conviction may result in your removal from the U.S. and other immigration consequences. 

McLennan County Family Violence Attorney

If you have been accused of family violence in McLennan County, you need to call an attorney experienced handling these charges. If you have been charged with this crime, you must get a reliable lawyer on your side. Call us at 254-753-6437 to talk about your defense.