Assault Charges in Texas — Misdemeanor to Felony

Assault charges in Texas range from a Class C misdemeanor for a threat of bodily harm all the way to a first-degree felony for aggravated assault against a public servant. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.01, simple assault causing bodily injury is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine. Aggravated assault under § 22.02 — involving serious bodily injury or use of a deadly weapon — is a second-degree felony carrying 2 to 20 years in prison.

The stakes are high, and assault cases often come down to conflicting accounts of what happened. The person who calls 911 first is not always telling the truth. If you have been accused of assault in Harris County, Montgomery County, or Galveston County, you need an attorney who will investigate what actually happened — not just accept the accuser’s version.

Types of Assault Charges We Defend

• Simple Assault / Bodily Injury — Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail
• Assault by Threat — Class C misdemeanor
• Aggravated Assault — Second-degree felony (2-20 years) involving serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon
• Assault on a Public Servant — Enhanced to third-degree or first-degree felony
• Assault Causing Bodily Injury to a Family Member — See our domestic violence defense page
• Deadly Conduct — Recklessly engaging in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury

Common Assault Defenses

Assault cases frequently involve self-defense, defense of others, defense of property, and mutual combat. Texas law recognizes your right to use reasonable force to protect yourself. We conduct thorough investigations — gathering surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, reviewing medical records, and challenging the accuser’s credibility. Many assault charges are based on exaggerated or fabricated claims, and we aggressively expose inconsistencies in the State’s case.