Domestic Violence

Georgetown Domestic Violence Lawyers

Defense Attorneys for Family Violence Charges

Domestic violence, or family violence in Texas, is a broad term encompassing a range of offenses involving violence or threats against family and household members. These violent crimes can have severe consequences, impacting the victims and those accused.

If you have been accused of, arrested for, or charged with any type of Texas domestic violence offense, your first order of business should be to enlist the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At Winters & Chidester, you can turn to a team of former prosecutors who both worked in the Family Violence Division of a Texas Prosecutor's Office, at the misdemeanor and felony level.

Our attorneys prosecuted domestic violence cases ranging from aggravated assault to aggravated kidnapping, manslaughter, impeding breath by strangulation, interfering with 911 calls, and more. This extensive experience can be crucial in anticipating the prosecutors’ tactics in your case and how to create effective strategies for your defense.

Request a confidential consultation with a Georgetown domestic violence attorney at our firm. Call (512) 961-4555 or use our convenient online contact form. Hablamos español.

Domestic Violence Cases in Williamson County, TX

Domestic violence is an inclusive term that can encompass several different offenses. Generally, domestic violence refers to violence between family or household members. This can include spouses, ex-spouses, children, parents, siblings, or current or former roommates.

It can also include lovers or people who are dating. Domestic violence is known as “family violence” under Texas law.

Crimes committed in the context of domestic violence are generally punished more severely than identical crimes committed against individuals who are not family, household members, or other present or former intimate partners.

Crimes Encompassed by Domestic Violence Law in Texas

Common crimes under the term “domestic violence” can include:

Stalking: This involves continuous threatening conduct and unwanted attention by an individual or group towards another person, causing fear or concern.
Assault (including by strangulation): Assault is any intentional act that causes physical harm, fear of injury, or offensive contact. Strangulation is a form of assault that involves choking or suffocating the victim.
Aggravated Assault: This involves causing serious harm or using a deadly weapon.
Harassment: Persistent behavior against the victim that causes distress.
Sexual Assault: This crime involves forced sexual activity without the consent of the victim.
Homicide: This is the act of unlawfully killing another person.
Continuous Violence Against the Family: This offense involves repeated violent acts against a current or ex-intimate partner, family, or household member. It is considered a third-degree felony.
Violation of a Protective Order: this consists of non-compliance with the court’s restrictions on the alleged abuser to protect a victim or their family.

Penalties for Domestic Violence Crimes

The penalties for domestic violence can be severe, including fines and jail time. The penalties are increased if the alleged victim was a family member, and the penalties are increased if the defendant has prior convictions for domestic violence.

These crimes can range from a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 to a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. An example of a Class C misdemeanor is offensive touching, while an example of a Class A misdemeanor occurs when causing the victim bodily injury.

Domestic violence crimes can also be charged as felonies. If it is a repeat offense, it can be prosecuted as a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Causing serious bodily injury or using a deadly weapon in a domestic violence crime can be prosecuted as a first-degree felony punishable by five years up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Impact of Protective Orders

A protective order is a legal injunction that requires the alleged abuser to stay away from the victim, their home, workplace, and/or school. Violating a protective order can result in criminal charges, including jail time and fines.

Beyond the legal implications, protective orders can also impact your personal life, affecting your reputation, employment opportunities, and even child custody arrangements.

For experienced defense counsel against these serious charges, contact a Georgetown domestic violence lawyer at Winters & Chidester. Call (512) 961-4555!

How Winters & Chidester Can Help

The attorneys at Winters & Chidester are uniquely positioned to assist those facing domestic violence charges as former Travis County prosecutors who worked in the Family Violence Divisions of the County Attorney and District Attorney's Office. This includes several years as the chief prosecutor in the specialized family violence court.

This experience provides our team with a deep understanding of how prosecutors approach these cases and the strategies they employ. It allows us to anticipate the prosecution's tactics and build an effective defense strategy.

Facing domestic violence charges is stressful and overwhelming. But with experienced attorneys like our firm, you can be confident that your case is in capable hands.

Contact our team for legal help at (512) 961-4555 today.

Real People. Real Wins.

Review Some of Our Results to See for Yourself What We’ve Worked to Achieve

As Georgetown criminal attorneys, we recognize the importance of what we do. Our goal is to help our clients face brighter futures, all while protecting their constitutional rights to the fullest. We couldn't be more proud of the people we've helped and the lives we've changed.

View All Results

Case dismissed Drugs & Firearm During Traffic Stop
We represented a client who was accused of having drugs and a firearm in their vehicle during a traffic stop. We worked with the prosecution to have the case dismissed.
Case dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a young man charged with assault family violence. By acting swiftly and conducting our own investigation, we achieved a dismissal of his case in under six months.
Case dismissed Juvenile Weapons Offense
We were able to secure a dismissal on behalf of a juvenile facing a weapons offense, which is harshly prosecuted in Texas.
No Charges Pursued Child Injury
We recently represented a client being investigated for injury to a child. Our client was in the process of becoming a citizen and could not have this charge on her record. We worked with the detective to eventually get the investigation dropped and no charges were filed.
Case Rejected Assault Family Violence Causing Bodily Injury
Our client was accused of assaulting her boyfriend, but in reality, she was the one in danger. We got the case rejected.