El Paso Violent Crimes Lawyer

Violent crimes involve confrontations between two or more people. Because they endanger the safety and lives of others, the state takes these criminal offenses very seriously. Typically, a violent crime accusation will result in a felony-level charge. Considered the most severe crimes, felonies are punishable by years to decades in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. The ramifications of a conviction can upend your life and make it difficult for you to re-enter society even after you have completed your sentence. With the stakes so high, waste no time in getting started on your defense.

For legal representation you can trust, reach out to Joseph R. Veith Law. Our violent crimes attorney, Joseph R. Veith, handles every criminal case with integrity and professionalism in El Paso. When you hire our law firm, we will provide a straightforward evaluation of your violent crimes case and have an honest discussion about your legal options. Our El Paso criminal defense attorney has served as a felony prosecutor and knows how the other side prepares for cases. With this insight, we can determine the avenues to pursue and develop an aggressive defense strategy on your behalf.

Our violent crimes lawyer in El Paso wants to hear your side of the story. Please contact us at (915) 600-6045 for a free initial case evaluation.

What Is Considered a Violent Crime in Texas?

Generally, violent crimes are those committed against other people. Various offenses fall under this definition.

In Texas, violent crimes include:

• Murder (Texas Penal Code § 19.02): This offense involves the intentional killing of another person. Charges may also arise when an individual intends to cause serious bodily injury to someone else but ends up causing that person's death or when a person takes another’s life while committing a separate felony.
• Rape (Texas Penal Code § 22.011): Referred to as sexual assault in Texas, this crime occurs when a person, without the other individual’s consent, penetrates another’s sexual organ or anus in any way, penetrates the other person’s mouth with the actor’s sexual organ, or causes contact between any person’s sexual organs and another individual’s mouth, anus, or sexual organ.
• Robbery (Texas Penal Code § 29.02): A person may be accused of this offense if they are alleged to have unlawfully taken another individual’s property and did so by causing bodily injury or threatening to cause bodily injury or death.
• Aggravated assault (Texas Penal Code § 22.02): Charges for this offense may arise when someone causes serious bodily injury to another person, or they use or display a deadly weapon while causing injury, threatening to cause injury, or touching another individual in an offensive or provocative way.

Because of the stigma attached to a violent crime accusation, it’s often difficult to remember that a criminal charge is not a conviction. At Joseph R. Veith Law, we recognize the presumption of innocence and work relentlessly to protect our clients’ rights. Regardless of the criminal offense you have been accused of, when you hire us, you will have an ally on your side pursuing an optimal outcome on your behalf.

Are Violent Crimes Felonies in Texas?

For the most part, violent crimes are felonies. Typically, they are charged as first- or second-degree felonies – two of the most severe degrees.

Rape, robbery, and aggravated assault are generally second-degree felonies. However, they may be elevated to first-degree felonies if certain factors are present.

For instance:

• Rape is a first-degree felony when the offense is committed against someone the actor was prohibited from marrying or engaging in sexual conduct with.
• Aggravated assault is a first-degree felony when:
  • The actor used a deadly weapon and caused serious injury to a family or household member,
  • The offense was committed against certain individuals performing their official duties, or
  • The actor shot a gun from a car and caused serious bodily injury to another person.
• Robbery is a first-degree felony when:
  • The actor causes serious bodily injury,
  • The actor used or displayed a deadly weapon, or
  • The actor caused bodily injury to a disabled person or a person 65 years of age or older.

Murder, one of the most serious violent felonies, is usually a first-degree felony. However, if the defendant can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they acted out of sudden passion after being provoked, then the offense is a second-degree felony.