By Graham Norris

A family violence accusation in Fort Worth can upend your life within hours. You may be removed from your home, barred from contacting your family, and facing consequences that go far beyond a jail sentence — including a permanent loss of firearm rights and a criminal record that follows you for life. If you’ve been accused, what happens in the next 48 hours will shape the outcome of your case.

Graham Norris has successfully defended many clients against domestic/family violence charges in Tarrant County courts, securing dismissals, reduced charges, and favorable outcomes even in serious felony cases. Contact us now for a free case evaluation using our confidential online form, or call the number below.

Why Clients Choose Norris Legal Group as Their Domestic Violence Lawyer in Fort Worth

• Local Tarrant County Court Experience: We understand Fort Worth’s court system and have relationships with local prosecutors
• Proven Results: Over 400 case dismissals and 60+ grand jury “no-bills” across 3,600+ criminal cases
• Personal Attention: Your case isn’t just another file – Graham personally handles your defense
• Emergency Response: Quick action can prevent charges from escalating and protect your rights

What to Know First

• Texas applies the “family violence” label to far more relationships than most people expect — roommates, siblings, and former dating partners all qualify
• Even a first-time misdemeanor conviction triggers a permanent, lifetime federal gun ban
• Tarrant County prosecutors maintain a no-drop policy — charges can move forward even if the alleged victim recants
• The first 48 hours are critical for preserving evidence and protecting your options
• Family violence charges operate under different rules than standard assault charges in Texas

How Texas Defines Family Violence

Under Texas Family Code § 71.004, family violence covers any act intended to cause physical harm or any threat that places a household or family member in fear of imminent harm. The relationships covered include current and former spouses, dating partners, blood relatives, in-laws, roommates, and foster parents. The moment that label attaches to your case, everything — the penalties, the restrictions, and the long-term consequences — becomes significantly more serious.

Potential Penalties

• First offense: Assault causing bodily injury to a family member is a Class A misdemeanor — up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine
• Choking or impeding breathing: Automatically a third-degree felony, even on a first offense — 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine
• Second family violence conviction: Also a third-degree felony, regardless of the severity of the conduct alleged
• Enhanced charge: If you have a prior conviction and the current allegation involves strangulation, the charge can rise to a second-degree felony — 2 to 20 years in prison. Cases involving weapons or serious bodily injury may also be prosecuted as aggravated assault

What Happens After Arrest

After a family violence arrest in Tarrant County, a magistrate can issue an Emergency Protective Order within hours — often before you’ve had a chance to speak with a lawyer. That order typically prohibits all contact with the alleged victim, bars you from returning to your own home, and requires you to surrender any firearms. It stays in effect for 61 to 91 days. Violating it is a separate Class A misdemeanor and can seriously complicate negotiations on the underlying charge. For a full breakdown of what these orders require and how they affect your daily life, see our page on protective orders in Fort Worth.

Collateral Consequences

The sentence is only part of what’s at stake:

• Gun rights: Under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(9)), any misdemeanor family violence conviction results in a permanent, lifetime ban on firearm possession — with no standard path to restoration. For more on what this means, see our guide on assault charges and gun rights in Fort Worth
• Housing and employment: A family violence finding on your record affects background checks, rental applications, and career opportunities
• Future charges enhanced: A single conviction transforms any future family violence allegation into an automatic felony
• Cannot be expunged: An affirmative finding of family violence cannot be sealed or expunged under Texas law

Common Defense Strategies

• Challenging the account: Text messages, prior false accusations, and witness inconsistencies can undermine the prosecution’s version of events
• Self-defense: If you were protecting yourself from the initial aggressor, Texas law may fully justify your actions
• Lack of bodily injury: The prosecution must prove actual physical pain occurred — unsubstantiated claims may not meet that threshold
• Suppressing unlawfully obtained evidence: If police entered your home without proper legal authority, a motion to suppress can remove key evidence from the case
• Challenging the family relationship: If the relationship doesn’t meet the statutory definition, the enhanced family violence penalties may not apply

Why Early Action Matters

The first 48 hours are the most important window in a family violence case. Digital evidence disappears fast, and prosecutors begin building their case immediately. Early attorney involvement can mean the difference between a charge being filed and a case being resolved before it ever gets that far — including negotiating bond conditions that allow you to remain in your home or maintain contact with your children.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the alleged victim drop the charges? Not in Tarrant County. Prosecutors maintain a no-drop policy on family violence cases and can proceed using 911 recordings, officer observations, and photographs — even if the alleged victim recants or refuses to cooperate.

Will I lose my gun rights if convicted? Yes — permanently. Under federal law, any misdemeanor family violence conviction results in a lifetime firearm prohibition with no standard restoration mechanism. Even a probated sentence or, in some cases, deferred adjudication can trigger this ban. Plea negotiations in these cases must account for this consequence from the start.

What is a no-contact order and how does it affect me? A no-contact order prohibits all direct and indirect communication with the alleged victim. Violating it — even through a third party — is a separate criminal offense and can be used to argue you are a continuing threat. If you share a home or children with the alleged victim, your attorney needs to address this immediately.

Can a family violence conviction be expunged? No. An affirmative finding of family violence cannot be expunged or sealed through a standard nondisclosure order under Texas law.

What should I do immediately after a family violence arrest? Do not speak to police without an attorney present. Do not attempt to contact the alleged victim — even to explain or apologize — as that contact can violate your bond conditions and be used against you. Call a defense attorney as soon as possible.

How Norris Legal Group Can Help

Graham Norris is a former Tarrant County prosecutor who has handled over 3,600 criminal cases and secured more than 400 dismissals. He knows how the DA’s office builds family violence cases — because he used to build them. That perspective, combined with thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy, is what Norris Legal Group brings to every client facing these charges in Fort Worth and across Tarrant County.

Call Norris Legal Group at (817) 859-8985 for a free, confidential consultation.