Fort Worth TX Assault Defense Attorney- Michael & Associates, Attorneys at Law

Are you facing assault charges in the Fort Worth area? Let our team craft a customized defense strategy to get you the best possible outcome. Our #1 goal is a dismissal!

In stressful situations, simple disagreements can quickly escalate and you could end up facing criminal charges. If you’ve been charged with assault in Fort Worth, your rights, freedom, and future are at stake. You need a dedicated legal team with experience representing assault clients and a reputation for getting results. At Michael & Associates, we’re here to help. Our experienced assault attorneys are available 24/7 to provide the fierce defense you need.

Any assault charge in Fort Worth is serious. Prosecutors use every available resource they have against you, and fighting back is essential. We defend clients across Tarrant County and the surrounding areas, including Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, and Rockwall counties.

Types of Assault Charges We Defend in Fort Worth

People often assume that assault involves violence. That’s not always the case. Under Texas law, some forms of assault don’t even include physical harm. Hitting someone with a plastic tray at a fast food restaurant or threatening airline workers at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport can land you in jail.

We have decades of experience handling all categories of Texas assault charges:

Simple Assault

Texas’s definition of simple assault is broad. Just threatening to harm someone can be enough for criminal charges. This can include:

Causing bodily injury
Threatening to injure another person
Provoking physical contact

About 78% of assault cases in Tarrant County in 2024 have been resolved. Simple assaults are typically Class A misdemeanors with penalties including up to a year in jail and fines of as much as $4,000. Just four people were acquitted.

Outcome	Percentage of case results
Dismissals	37%
Acquittals	.3%
Convictions	28%
Deferred adjudication	27%
Other outcomes	7.7%

Simple assault charges – and the penalties you’ll face – can be elevated to felonies if the victim is a public servant, older person, or family member. Our team of assault defense attorneys will closely examine the evidence and fight for a charge reduction or dismissal.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault involves either:

Serious bodily injury
Use of a deadly weapon during the assault

Close to 69% of aggravated assault cases in Tarrant County in 2024 have been resolved. These charges carry severe penalties, including two to 20 years in prison. The most common outcome was a conviction. Here are the case outcomes by percentage.

Outcome	Percentage of case results
Dismissals	15.5%
Acquittals	.1%
Convictions	37%
Deferred adjudication	29.5%
Other outcomes	17.9%

Our firm will build a strong, evidence-based defense to ensure your rights are protected.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence or family assault charges arise when you’re accused of threatening or harming a family or household member. Depending on the case and any prior history, these charges range from misdemeanors to felonies. We understand that these cases involve complex dynamics. We provide legal defense and compassionate support.

If you’ve been charged with family violence, you must act quickly. You could be barred from entering your own home, even if that home is solely in your name.

About 55% of family assault cases in Tarrant County in 2024 have been resolved. Penalties vary based on the incident and any injuries. For first-time offenders, it’s typically considered a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. Repeat offenders could face a third-degree felony charge and face a prison sentence of two to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Just seven people have been acquitted.

Outcome	Percentage of case results
Dismissals	37%
Acquittals	.2%
Convictions	30%
Deferred adjudication	16.7%
Other	16%

Sexual & Aggravated Sexual Assault

In Fort Worth, sexual assault is a second-degree felony. If threats, injuries, or weapons are involved, the charge could be upgraded to aggravated sexual assault, which is a first-degree felony. The stakes are particularly high in assault cases, not only due to the potential for serious legal consequences but also because of the potential for social stigma. You must act quickly. We’re experienced in defending clients against these serious allegations.

Close to 55% of the cases of sexual assault involving adults in Tarrant County in 2024 have been resolved. Depending on the severity of the charges, the maximum penalty can range from two to 99 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. The most common outcome was deferred adjudication.

Outcome	Percentage of case results
Dismissals	19.5%
Acquittals	0%
Convictions	25%
Deferred adjudication	36%
Other	19.5%

Aggressive Defenses Against Assault Charges in Fort Worth

An arrest does not mean you’re guilty. You’re always innocent unless proven guilty. And many assault charges stem from insufficient evidence, misunderstandings, exaggerations, or even a desire for retribution. Our team in Fort Worth will explore every possible defense, which may include:

Necessity or duress
Self-defense or defense of others
Lack of intent
False accusations
Mutual combat
Mistaken identity
Insanity or mental health defenses

Each case is unique. We will build a customized defense strategy designed to expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

What to Do If You Are Arrested for Assault in Fort Worth

If you’ve been arrested, you must take immediate steps to protect yourself:

Don’t speak to law enforcement without a lawyer: Anything you say can be used against you
You have the right to an attorney – request one immediately
Exercise your constitutional right to remain silent
Avoid contact with the victim, even if they live in the same household
Comply with any protective orders the court has issued
Do not discuss your case with others, especially during the booking process or while in jail, where conversations are recorded.

Call Michael & Associates as soon as possible to begin your defense. We’re available 24/7.

Why Choose a Local Fort Worth Assault Attorney?

Hiring a local defense attorney gives you a significant advantage. Local knowledge and experience matters. Our attorneys have deep roots in the Fort Worth legal community and are committed to protecting the rights of North Texans. Our team has decades of experience and an established track record of success. Our firm is known for its meticulous preparation and commitment to clients.

We pride ourselves in only hiring attorneys with significant legal experience and diverse skill sets. While all are tough criminal defense lawyers, our teammates have a wide array of other experience as well. Our Fort Worth team includes at least three former prosecutors. We also have a former judge and an ex-FBI agent. This wide range of experience provides critical insight into how our opposition will approach your case. We use this to customize our strategy.

At our firm, we:

Understand Tarrant County court procedures and know the key personnel
Have established relationships with prosecutors, judges, and court staff
Are familiar with community-specific legal trends and jury dynamics
Offer easy in-person access for urgent questions — we return calls and texts the same business day

Start Building Your Defense Today

An assault charge can derail your life. Don’t face this alone. At Michael & Associates, we deliver fierce, knowledgeable, client-forward, results-driven representation for individuals accused of assault throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.

Call us now for a free consultation.

More Commonly Asked Questions About Assault

What is a Misdemeanor Battery in Texas?

The term “battery” is not used in the Texas Penal Code. The state classifies battery under “assault.” Simple assault charges range from a Class C misdemeanor for minor infractions (for example, threatening injury but not actually injuring anyone) to a Class A misdemeanor for more serious incidents that don’t involve severe injuries (for example, pushing someone and causing a bruise.)

What Constitutes Misdemeanor Assault in Fort Worth?

Texas Penal Code § 22.01 defines misdemeanor assault as an assault that doesn’t involve serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon. There are three main types of misdemeanor assault (ranging from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor), based on the act and the victim.

When Does Assault Become a Felony in Fort Worth?

Most assaults are considered misdemeanors, but if an assault involves a deadly weapon or a serious bodily injury, it can be classified as a felony. Here’s a breakdown of some common situations and the criminal charges a defendant would face:

Minor injury (first-time offender): Class A misdemeanor
Assault with a prior record of domestic violence: Third-degree felony
Assault of a public servant: Third-degree felony
Assault that involves choking or strangulation: Third-degree felony
Aggravated assault (assault with a serious injury and/or involving a deadly weapon): Second or first-degree felony

Is Aggravated Assault a Felony in Texas?

Yes, aggravated assault is typically a second-degree felony. However, specific circumstances elevate the offense to a first-degree felony, with more severe penalties of between 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine as high as $10,000. Factors that can lead to this enhancement include:
Firing a gun from a vehicle and causing serious bodily injury
Use of a deadly weapon and/or causing serious bodily injury to a family member
Assaulting a security officer, witness, or public servant
Causing traumatic injuries (for example, irreversible paralysis)

What are the Penalties for Aggravated Assault in Tarrant County?

In Texas, simple assault refers to assault offenses that don’t involve a deadly weapon or a serious bodily injury. Penalties vary depending on the specifics of the case and the relationship between the defendant and the victim, and charges can range from a Class C misdemeanor with no jail time to a third-degree felony for enhanced charges that involve a public official, security officer, or emergency worker.

Can I Get My Assault Charge Expunged?

While it’s possible to have an assault charge expunged in Texas, the circumstances are very limited and depend on the specifics of the charge and the outcome of your case.

Expungement eligibility:

–The charges were dismissed with no plea deal or probation
–You were arrested but not formally charged
–You were acquitted in a trial

If any of these apply to you, you may be able to petition for an expunction to have the arrest and charges removed from your criminal history (so they won’t appear on background checks).

You aren’t eligible for expunction if:

–You were convicted
–You were sentenced to deferred adjudication

However, you may be eligible to petition for an Order of Nondisclosure, which doesn’t erase the records entirely, but instead shields them from the public. To be eligible to petition for Nondisclosure, the offense must not be of a violent or sexual nature, and you must have successfully completed deferred adjudication. Contact us for more information.

What’s the Difference Between Family Assault and Domestic Violence?

In Texas, “family assault” and “domestic violence” have one key difference. Domestic violence is a non-legal term commonly used to describe abuse that occurs in “family” or “dating” relationships. Family assault (or Assault – Family Violence under Texas Penal Code § 22.01) is the legal charge under Texas law that someone would face for allegations of domestic abuse.

A “family” or “dating” relationship Includes:
Current/former dating partners
Current/former spouses
Parents of the same child
Relatives by blood or marriage
Roommates

Where Can I Get Help if I’m Afraid a Family Member May Try to Hurt Me?

If you need immediate help, call 911. These groups provide longer-term resources for families that need assistance.

ARLINGTON
Women’s Center of Tarrant County Arlington Office: 817-548-1663
Arlington Police Department: 817-459-5600
Arlington Memorial Hospital: 817-548-6100

DALLAS COUNTY
Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center 24-Hour Crisis Line: 972-641-7273
Mosaic Family Services, Inc.: 214-821-5393; https://mosaicservices.org/

GRAND PRAIRIE
The Family Place 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 214-941-1991; https://familyplace.org/

COLLIN COUNTY
The Turning Point 24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-886-7273; https://www.theturningpoint.org/

WEATHERFORD
Freedom House of Parker County: 817-596-8922; https://www.freedomhousepc.org/

JOHNSON COUNTY
Family Crisis Center of Johnson County: 1-800-848-3206; https://www.familycrisisjc.org/

How is Rape Different from Sexual Assault?

While “rape” is a commonly used term, Section 22.011 of the Texas Penal Code consolidates various non-consensual sexual acts under the term “sexual assault.” This means there is no legal distinction between rape and sexual assault in Texas.

How Many Assault Cases Go to Trial in Tarrant County?

Court data indicates that about 1.1% of all assault cases in Tarrant County go to trial. This is comparable to the percentages in Dallas and Bexar counties but is higher than Harris County, which averages .56%, and Travis County, which averages .29%.

More Tarrant County Resources

How to visit an inmate in the Tarrant County Jail

How to check for warrants in Tarrant County

How to get someone out of jail in Tarrant County

How much is bail in Tarrant County? We pulled the data

Call for free case review

Ben Michael

Ben has vast experience in defending criminal cases ranging from DWIs to assault, drug possession, and many more. He has countless criminal charges dismissed and pled down. Among many other awards, one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Texas and winner of Top 40 under 40.

Michael&Associates

Aggressive Fort Worth, TX Assault Attorney