Domestic Violence Offenses in Texas | What to Know

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Domestic violence normally applies to violent behavior committed against spouses or other family members. Police officers will usually place one person under arrest when responding to a domestic violence call. If you were arrested for domestic violence in Texas, contact The Gonzalez Law Group today.

What are the different types of domestic violence offenses in Texas?

Certain crimes are considered domestic violence offenses because of the victims involved or the place in which the incidents took place. The nature of domestic violence charges can depend on various factors. For example, the degree of injuries the victims suffer or the prior criminal record of the offender.

Some of the most common examples of domestic violence offenses that people are charged with include:

  • Continuous violence against the family;
  • Child abuse;
  • Kidnapping;
  • Domestic Assault;
  • Assault with Strangulation;
  • Stalking;
  • Protective order hearings; and
  • Violation of protective order

How does Texas define domestic violence?

Domestic violence is defined as an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that;

  • is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault; or
  • that is a threat that reasonably places the member in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault, but does not include defensive measures to protect oneself;

The penalties for domestic violence in Texas can range from a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to a year in prison to a first-degree felony with a penalty between 5 and 99 years in prison. Below are some keywords and definitions that may help bring meaning to who the law is aiming to protect.

  • Family: includes individuals related by blood or through marriage, individuals who are former spouses of each other, individuals who are parents of the same child, without regard to marriage, and a foster child and foster parent, without regard to whether those individuals reside together.
  • Household: A unit made up of people living in the same dwelling, without regard to whether they are related to one another.
  • Member of a Household: Includes someone who previously lived in a household.
  • Dating Violence: An act, other than a defensive measure to protect oneself, by an alleged offender that is committed against an alleged victim or applicant for a protective order with whom the alleged offender has or has had;
    • a dating relationship or dating relationship with an individual whom the alleged offender is or has been in a dating relationship or marriage; and
    • is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault; or
    • that is a threat that reasonably places the victim or applicant in fear of imminent physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault.
    • a dating relationship means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature, with the existence of such relationships determined based on consideration of the length of the relationship, the nature of the relationship, and the frequency of the interaction between the people involved in the relationship.

CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED HOUSTON FIRM

We understand how challenging various legal matters can be, which is why we have dedicated ourselves to helping clients in Texas through a wide array of legal matters, including personal injury law and criminal defense. If you have sustained a serious injury or are facing criminal charges, contact the Gonzalez Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you through every step of the legal process ahead.