Family violence assault charges in Texas carry consequences that extend far beyond jail time—you can lose your gun rights, face difficulties with employment and housing, and be separated from your family through protective orders. If you’ve been arrested for a family violence assault in Tarrant County, the actions you take in the first hours and days will significantly impact your case outcome.
At Norris Legal Group, we provide immediate defense for family violence cases and guide clients through every stage of the process.
Call (817) 859-8985 for a Free Case Evaluation
What Is Family Violence Assault in Texas?
Family violence assault doesn’t just involve spouses or dating partners. Graham Norris explains the broad scope: “In Texas, the family violence label can be applied broadly. It can include not just intimate partners but also roommates, cousins, or certain other relatives. This label comes with additional legal consequences and must be handled carefully.”
The family violence designation applies to assault between:
- Current or former spouses
- Dating or former dating partners
- Parents and children
- Siblings
- Roommates
- Extended family members (cousins, in-laws)
- People who share a child together
Even a minor altercation can result in family violence charges when it involves these relationships.
Penalties for Family Violence Assault
First Offense
A first-time family violence assault causing bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor:
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Up to $4,000 fine
- Loss of gun rights
- Permanent criminal record
- Employment and housing difficulties
Enhanced Penalties
Graham Norris warns about serious enhancements: “If you have a prior family violence conviction, any new assault charge becomes a third-degree felony, with a range of punishment between 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.”
Additional enhancements include:
Choking/Impeding Breath: Automatic third-degree felony (2-10 years in prison)
Continuous Family Violence: Two or more incidents within 12 months—third-degree felony
Understanding assault charge enhancements is critical for anyone facing these charges.
Early Steps After Arrest
Within 24-48 Hours: No-Contact Bond Conditions
Upon release from jail, judges automatically impose no-contact conditions prohibiting:
- Any communication with the alleged victim
- Going near their home, workplace, or school
- Using third parties to relay messages
- Social media interaction
Violating these conditions results in immediate re-arrest and bond revocation. Graham Norris emphasizes: “Based on what’s happened to this point, we’ve got to make all the right moves from here on out and that’s part of our job is to guide them in what moves need to be made.”
Immediate Actions to Take
Contact an Experienced Attorney: Time is critical in family violence cases. Evidence disappears, memories fade, and prosecutors move quickly.
Document Everything: Photograph any injuries you sustained, save text messages showing context, and identify witnesses who saw what happened.
Comply Strictly with Bond Conditions: Do not contact the alleged victim, even if they reach out to you. Only a judge can modify these restrictions.
Preserve Evidence: Don’t delete texts, photos, or social media posts that provide context about your relationship or the incident.
Learn more about bond condition compliance.
No-Contact Rules: What You Must Know
Why “The Victim Says It’s Okay” Doesn’t Matter
The most dangerous mistake people make is resuming contact because the alleged victim says they want to reconcile. The victim cannot give you permission to violate court orders.
Even if the victim initiates contact, responding violates your bond conditions. You will face new charges—the victim won’t.
Modifying No-Contact Orders
If both parties want restrictions lifted, the proper process involves:
- Your attorney files a motion with the court
- The prosecutor is notified and can object
- A hearing is held before a judge
- The judge decides whether to modify restrictions
Never assume orders are lifted without written court confirmation.
How Prosecutors Build Family Violence Cases
Evidence-Based Prosecution
Texas prosecutors use strategies designed to convict even when victims refuse to cooperate:
911 Call Recordings: Capture emotional statements made in the heat of the moment
Body Camera Footage: Documents injuries, scene conditions, and your statements to police
Witness Statements: Neighbors, family members, or others who heard or saw the incident
Medical Records: Emergency room visits documenting injuries
Text Messages and Social Media: Communications before or after the incident
Graham Norris explains the prosecution approach: “We’ve got to gather evidence on what everyone else’s version of what happened is. We know the truth, but now we need to find out what other people are saying.”
For more on how evidence is used, see our article on body camera evidence in assault cases.
Defense Strategies for Family Violence Cases
Challenge the Evidence
We examine every piece of evidence for weaknesses:
Compare Video to Reports: Graham Norris emphasizes: “Most incidents are recorded on security cameras or by witnesses. Your lawyer will compare the officer’s report with the video footage to find discrepancies. If the officer’s account doesn’t match the video, it can weaken the case against you.”
Expose Witness Bias: We investigate witness credibility and motives to lie.
Identify Inconsistencies: Comparing 911 calls, police statements, and later accounts often reveals contradictions.
Present Self-Defense Evidence
Texas law allows reasonable force to protect yourself from harm. Graham Norris explains: “Use of force can be justified under the law. Often what comes up in assault cases is that you used force, but it was justified under the law.”
We gather evidence showing:
- The alleged victim was the aggressor
- You acted in reasonable self-defense
- You were preventing harm to yourself or others
- Your response was proportional to the threat
Learn more about self-defense rights in Texas.
Demonstrate False Allegations
Family violence allegations are sometimes fabricated during:
- Custody disputes
- Divorce proceedings
- Property disagreements
- Revenge for infidelity
We investigate motives and gather evidence including:
- Text messages showing manipulation
- History of false allegations
- Witnesses contradicting the victim’s account
- Physical evidence inconsistent with claims
Work With Cooperating Victims
When alleged victims want charges dropped, we help them properly communicate this to prosecutors through affidavits of non-prosecution—while ensuring no violation of no-contact orders occurs.
Graham Norris explains: “Sometimes it’s a process of helping them to correct the record and helping them. We can even assist them in filing an affidavit that would indicate that to the authorities so that we can clear things up.”
Case Resolution Options
Dismissal
When evidence is weak or victims refuse cooperation, cases may be dismissed entirely—particularly in first-time offenses without significant injuries or independent evidence.
Deferred Adjudication
This option avoids a conviction on your record if you successfully complete probation, though it still counts as a prior for enhancement purposes in future family violence cases.
Reduced Charges
Negotiating family violence charges down to regular assault removes the family violence designation and its collateral consequences, particularly gun rights restrictions.
Trial
When dismissal or acceptable plea agreements aren’t possible, we prepare aggressively for trial. Graham Norris has successfully defended high-profile assault cases, including self-defense murder trials.
Protecting Your Gun Rights
Federal and Texas law prohibit firearm possession by anyone convicted of family violence, even misdemeanors. This restriction is permanent unless the conviction is overturned or pardoned.
Avoiding family violence convictions or getting charges reduced to non-family violence offenses preserves your Second Amendment rights.
The Collateral Consequences
Beyond legal penalties, family violence convictions create:
Employment Barriers: Background checks reveal convictions, affecting job opportunities in many fields.
Housing Difficulties: Landlords routinely deny applications from those with family violence records.
Custody Issues: Family violence convictions heavily impact custody and visitation decisions.
Professional Licensing: Many professions deny or revoke licenses for family violence convictions.
Immigration Consequences: Non-citizens may face deportation for certain family violence convictions.
Why Choose Norris Legal Group
Former Prosecutor Experience: Graham Norris’s background prosecuting cases gives him unique insight into how the state builds family violence cases and where vulnerabilities exist. If you’re looking for experienced assault defense, his prosecutorial background is a significant advantage.
Immediate Action: We respond quickly to protect your rights and preserve evidence before it disappears.
Comprehensive Investigation: “We need to understand your story and understand everything that we can about what really happened and every detail matters in these types of cases.”
Proven Results: We’ve successfully defended clients in family violence cases throughout Tarrant County, securing dismissals and reduced charges.
Dignity and Respect: “We believe that every person no matter if they’ve made a mistake or not, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
For additional information, see our guide on how to get assault charges dropped.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation
Family violence assault charges carry life-altering consequences that extend far beyond jail time. The actions you take immediately after arrest will significantly impact your case outcome, your family relationships, and your future.
Don’t navigate this alone. Contact Norris Legal Group for experienced defense that treats you with dignity while fighting aggressively to protect your rights and your future.
Contact us for a free case evaluation, or call (817) 859-8985.
Serving Fort Worth, Arlington, Bedford, Mansfield, Euless, Hurst, Keller, Southlake, and all of Tarrant County.
