VIOLENT CRIMES & SELF-DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IN DALLAS, TEXAS

Texas deals with violent crimes differently than other offenses—opportunities for probation are more limited, and prison sentences require longer service terms prior to parole. Unfortunately, police often file these cases with the district attorney’s office despite valid defenses like self-defense, defense of another, or protection of property. Such filings lead to life-altering events for the accused.

An exceptional attorney can change the course of these events.

Why MC Criminal Law? 

Experience

Most criminal attorneys have never walked an accused person out of this type of allegation back into their lives, but we have—multiple times. With more than 30 years of criminal experience and 300 trials between us, we have handled hundreds of these cases as prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys. Understanding the prosecutor’s mindset and the defenses available in these types of cases, we can analyze a specific incident and identify valid defenses and case weaknesses. Our firm has achieved great results in many cases—including reductions to lesser charges and dismissals.

Personal Attention

MC Criminal Law is committed to providing extensive, personalized attention. We know what it takes to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients. Unlike law firms that depend upon high volumes of cases, we choose to work with few clients for exceptional results. If that sounds like what you are looking for, we are an ideal firm.

“Right from the beginning I knew I was with the right lawyer.” – VS

Types and Levels of Violent Crimes

Violent crimes and offenses can carry enhanced penalties and are difficult to erase from a criminal record. Some of the offenses listed below are also described in other areas of our practice, including family violence cases, sex crimes, and murder and manslaughter crimes; for more details please visit those areas.

Class C Misdemeanor – Up to $500 fine

Assault—Offensive Contact

Class B Misdemeanor – Up to 180 days in jail and up to $2,000 fine

Terroristic Threat

Class A Misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail and up to $4,000 fine

Assault

Assault Family Violence

Deadly Conduct

Indecent Assault

Terroristic Threat of Family Member or Public Servant

State Jail Felony – Up to 2 years and not less than 180 days and up to $10,000 fine

Abandoning a Child with Intent to Return

Terroristic Threat of a Peace Officer or Judge

Third Degree Felony – 2 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine

Abandoning a Child without Intent to Return

Assault of a Public Servant

Assault Family Violence by Impeding Breath or Circulation

Assault Family Violence with Previous Conviction

Deadly Conduct by Discharging a Firearm at a Person or Habitation

Endangering a Child

Injury to a Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual

Second Degree Felony – 2 to 20 years in prison and a up to $10,000 fine

Abandoning a Child in a Dangerous Place

Aggravated Assault causing Serious Bodily Injury

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

Manslaughter

Robbery

Sexual Assault

First Degree Felony – 5 years to 99 years or Life and up to $10,000 fine

Aggravated Robbery

Aggravated Sexual Assault

Murder

Capital Felony – Life without Parole or Death

Capital Murder

Results

Injury to an Elderly Individual—No-billed by Grand Jury

Client is a female professional who rented a room to an elderly man. Elderly man grabbed client during an argument and client slapped him to get free. Police came to the scene, investigated, and arrested our client and charged her with a felony. We were able to get pictures of the injuries sustained by female client and additional evidence to present to the grand jury and establish self-defense. Grand jury no-billed the case, barring further prosecution.

Manslaughter—Case Reduced

Client had a previous criminal record that would not allow him to possess a gun. He had been threatened earlier in the night and believed someone might be trying to assault him at home. He shot at a person he believed to be an attacker and accidentally killed a fellow housemate. Documented for the prosecutor the credible threats that client had received and negotiated a reduction to probation on a criminally negligent homicide charge.

Murder*/Aggravated Assault by a Police Officer—Not Guilty Returned by Jury at Trial

Client was a police officer who responded to a suspicious person call regarding two people in an automobile. Despite the officer’s repeated commands, the two people in the car refused to exit the vehicle or show their hands. Our client saw the vehicle reverse in the direction of other officers and shot to defend his fellow officers. This case went to jury trial where we cross examined the government’s witnesses and provided our own. We were able to show that the officer’s conduct was justified under the law. Our client was acquitted of all charges and went home to his family.

*Case was filed as an aggravated assault by a police officer because it is easier for the prosecution to then prove murder, and it carries the same punishment range.

Aggravated Robbery—Dismissed

Client was a young man with no prior criminal history. He was accused of robbing three men at knife point. Police arrested him wearing similar clothes to the alleged robber, near the location, later that night. Based on weaknesses of the case and our client’s hard work at improving himself even after the charges, we negotiated a dismissal of the charges.

Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon—No-billed by the Grand Jury

Client was a very successful professional who was leaving a party and a security guard tried to stop him in the dark. Client hit the security guard with his vehicle, and police filed an aggravated assault charge against him. After working with the complaining witness to take care of his injuries, complaining witness requested that the grand jury no bill the case. Case was no-billed and expunction is pending.