Assault & violent crimes

Attorney Sallye Wilton, the founder of Wilton Law Group, has provided strong, reliable criminal defense representation for more than a decade to clients in Collin County and across the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, including Dallas, Denton, Tarrant, Rockwall and Kaufman counties. We understand the serious nature of an assault or violent crime charge, whether you are a first-time or repeat offender. If you or someone you care about is facing charges, our firm provides attorneys who emphasize hands-on involvement in the case and leverage deep local court knowledge to minimize the consequences of your charges. Sallye has handled hundreds of criminal cases.

Penalties For Assault And Violent Crime In Texas

Violent crime charges in Texas carry severe penalties. At Wilton Law Group, our goals include getting the charges dropped, lessening the impact of the charges or winning an acquittal. Assault charges vary widely in Texas based on the circumstances, leading to different classifications and penalties:

Class C misdemeanor assault: This generally involves threats of imminent bodily injury or offensive contact, subject to statutory exceptions. The penalty is a fine only, up to $500. A finding of family violence can bar nondisclosure; record-clearing eligibility depends on the case.
Class A misdemeanor assault: This generally involves bodily injury, unless a statutory enhancement applies. The penalty includes up to one year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000.
Felony assault: Family violence involving certain prior convictions or strangulation, and certain assaults against public servants, can be felonies. Aggravated assault generally involves serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon and is generally a second-degree felony, with first-degree exceptions. Injury to a child or elderly person may be a separate offense. Ordinary punishment ranges are two to 10 years for a third-degree felony, two to 20 years for a second-degree felony, and five to 99 years or life for a first-degree felony, with fines up to $10,000. The exact charge and enhancements matter.

Beyond completing a sentence or paying a fine, a violent crime conviction carries lifetime consequences that can diminish your reputation and interfere with obtaining housing or employment.

Texas Penal Code: assaultive offenses

Local Courts In Collin County And The DFW Metro Area

Our familiarity with the local courts in the DFW area is a significant advantage for our clients. Every county has its own unique procedures, prosecutors and judges. We regularly work in:

Collin County: Representing clients in the District Courts in McKinney
Dallas County: Handling cases in the Dallas County Criminal District Courts
Tarrant County: Working within the Criminal District Courts in Fort Worth
Denton, Rockwall, and Kaufman Counties: Applying our local knowledge to the specific jurisdictions of these growing areas

When you hire the attorneys at Wilton Law Group, you hire a team that knows the key players and processes in the courts that will handle your case.

How Texas Courts Handle Your Arrest And Trial

The criminal justice process can be overwhelming to experience first hand. Here is a general overview of the steps we guide you through:

Arrest and booking: After an arrest, we work to address bail and seek your release. A magistrate addresses the initial warnings and bail when allowed by law.
Arraignment: Your arraignment establishes your identity and hears your plea. Some counties require an arraignment setting after release and we appear with you on that as well as your other required settings.
Discovery and pre-trial: We meticulously review all the evidence – police reports, witness statements, videos and any labs related to the case – to build your defense. We try to limit your appearances as much as possible. We don’t want you to miss work, school or any family obligations. Required appearances may be excused only as the court permits. This phase includes filing motions, such as motions to suppress evidence.
Plea Bargain or Trial: Based on the evidence and your goals, we advise you on the best path forward – either negotiating a favorable plea agreement or defending you in a jury trial.
Sentencing (if convicted): If the case results in a conviction, we advocate strongly for the minimum possible sentence.

Can Assault Charges Be Dropped By The Victim In Texas?

No, the victim cannot simply drop the charges in Texas. While a victim may sign an Affidavit of Non-Prosecution expressing a wish for the case to be dropped, the prosecuting attorney, who represents the state of Texas, decides whether to seek dismissal, subject to the court’s permission. We can use the victim’s wishes as part of our defense argument, but it is not a guaranteed dismissal.

Building Strong Defense Strategies For Violent Crime Charges

Our defense strategies are always customized to the specific facts of your case. We focus on exploiting weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and asserting your rights. For serious charges like aggravated assault, a defense may involve:

Self-defense/defense of others: Depending on the facts and statutory limits, we can assert you were justified in using force because you reasonably believed it was immediately necessary to protect yourself or a third person from unlawful force. Deadly force has additional requirements.
Victim’s wishes: When a victim requests a case be dropped or dismissed after filing, Sallye pushes for the result you want. What some people don’t realize is that once the police and state pick up the case, they are not obligated to get rid of the case. You need an advocate who will push for you.
Misidentification: We argue that the accused is not the person who committed the crime.
Motions to suppress: Our lawyers challenge the admissibility of evidence obtained through an illegal search or seizure, or challenge statements obtained through custodial questioning without required warnings, subject to applicable exceptions.
Challenging intent: We challenge whether the State can prove the required mental state. Bodily-injury assault can include reckless conduct, so calling an injury an accident does not by itself resolve the charge.

Our attorneys take the time to dig deep into the facts of your case, ensuring your side of the story will be told in court or conferences with opposing counsel.

Why Choose Our Firm?

When you face a violent crime charge, you need more than an attorney; you need a dedicated advocate. We offer you:

Unparalleled dedication: If you hire our attorneys, you get personal attention from our attorneys. Sallye Wilton or her associate attorney will handle your case from start to finish.
Local knowledge, state reach: Our attorneys are known across the state for their track record of successful representation. In addition to our deep local Collin County and DFW-area knowledge of the courts, we have experience representing clients all over Texas.
Representation for all levels of charges: Our violent crime attorneys represent clients charged with assault or other violent crimes. We handle everything from misdemeanor assault to felony aggravated assault.

Access Authoritative, Experienced Criminal Law Attorneys Today

If you are facing charges for assault or any violent crime, you need experienced, local legal guidance immediately. Contact the Wilton Law Group today to discuss a consultation, by calling (972) 914-9115.