ASSAULT
Assault Defense Attorney in Georgetown, TX
If you’ve been charged with assault in Georgetown or Williamson County, the next decision you make matters more than most people realize. At the Law Office of Clovis Martin, we handle assault cases personally — no associates, no hand-offs — and we’ve been doing it two blocks from the Williamson County Courthouse for well over a decade.
Whether you’re facing a Class C misdemeanor or an aggravated assault charge, we’ll tell you exactly where you stand and what your options are.
Class C Assault And Other Charges in Texas Don’t All Look the Same
One of the first things we explain to clients is that “assault” in Texas covers a wide range of conduct — and the charge level determines everything: the penalty range, the defense strategy, and whether programs like PTIP are even on the table.
Here’s how Texas law breaks it down:
Class C Assault — Threatening or Offensive Contact
A Class C misdemeanor assault doesn’t require physical injury. Under Texas Penal Code §22.01, you can be charged with assault without touching someone — threatening imminent bodily injury or making offensive physical contact is enough. It’s the lowest level of assault charge, but it still creates a criminal record. We’ve handled plenty of cases where clients didn’t understand how they were charged with assault at all.
Learn More About “Class C assault charges in Texas” →
Class A Assault — Bodily Injury
Causing bodily injury to another person — intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly — is a Class A misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor classification in Texas. This is the charge we see most often. Penalties include up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000.
Assault Family Violence — Enhanced Consequences
When the alleged victim is a family member, household member, or dating partner, the charge is classified as assault family violence. This classification triggers consequences that go well beyond the standard penalty range — including the potential loss of firearm rights. We cover this in more detail below.
Aggravated Assault — Felony Territory
Aggravated assault involves either serious bodily injury or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. This is a second-degree felony under most circumstances — and a first-degree felony when a family member is involved or a public servant is the target. The stakes are significantly higher, and the defense strategy has to match.
Learn More About “aggravated assault charges and penalties” →
What a Conviction Can Cost You in Williamson County
A lot of people come to us focused on whether they’ll go to jail. That’s a fair concern — but a conviction carries consequences that follow you long after any jail time ends.
Depending on the charge level, a conviction can mean:
- Jail time ranging from a fine-only Class C to two to 20 years for aggravated assault
- Fines up to $10,000 for felony-level charges
- A permanent criminal record that shows up on background checks
- Loss of the right to possess a firearm — especially for assault family violence convictions
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Impact on custody proceedings, employment, and professional licenses
We’ve seen clients overlook these downstream consequences when they were focused only on avoiding jail. We make sure you understand the full picture before making any decisions about your case.
Call 512-887-0115 to talk through what your specific charge could mean for you.
Can the Victim Drop Assault Charges in Texas?
This is probably the most common misconception we hear. The short answer is no — and understanding why matters.
In Texas, assault is prosecuted by the state, not the alleged victim. Once a police report has been filed and charges have been submitted to the District Attorney’s office, whether the victim has to press charges for assault is no longer the deciding factor. The state can — and often does — proceed with prosecution even over the alleged victim’s objection.
We’ve handled many cases where the alleged victim wanted nothing to do with the prosecution, yet the DA moved forward anyway. The difference between assault and battery is also a question we get regularly — in Texas, there is no separate “battery” offense.
What other states call battery is covered under Texas’s assault statute, which is why the charge can feel broader than people expect.Having an attorney who knows the Williamson County DA’s office and how they evaluate these cases makes a real difference in how quickly and favorably a case can be resolved.
Contact Us to discuss your case
Assault Family Violence Charges Carry Extra Consequences
When an assault charge involves a family member, spouse, or someone you’re in a dating relationship with, the consequences expand in ways that catch people off guard.
An assault family violence conviction — even at the Class A misdemeanor level — can result in:
- Up to one year in county jail and a $4,000 fine
- A magistrate-issued protective order restricting contact with the alleged victim
- A permanent loss of the right to possess a firearm under federal law
- An enhanced felony charge on any subsequent offense
That last point is worth repeating: a second assault family violence conviction can be charged as a third-degree felony, which carries two to ten years in state prison. The charge escalates faster than most people expect.
We work through every available option on these cases — including challenging the classification itself where the facts support it. For a full breakdown of family violence defense, see our assault family violence charges in Williamson County page.
Aggravated Assault Charges in Texas
Aggravated assault is a felony, and it’s treated that way from the moment of arrest. We’ve defended clients facing these charges under a range of circumstances — from altercations involving a weapon to cases where the “serious bodily injury” standard was genuinely disputable.
As a second-degree felony, aggravated assault carries:
- Two to 20 years in state prison
- Fines up to $10,000
- A permanent felony record
Certain circumstances elevate the charge to a first-degree felony:
- The assault occurred in a domestic violence context
- The victim is a public servant (police officer, judge, etc.)
- The assault was committed for hire
The defense strategy on aggravated assault cases is case-specific. We look hard at the evidence, the weapon classification, the injury characterization, and whether the prosecution can actually meet its burden. These are not cases to navigate without someone who knows this courthouse.
Your First Option After an Assault Charge: PTIP
For first-time offenders, Williamson County offers something most counties don’t: the Pre-Trial Intervention Program. It’s one of the most important tools available to someone facing an assault charge with no prior criminal history — and it’s something every competitor in this market seems to overlook explaining properly.
Here’s how PTIP works:
- It’s a six-month diversion program for first-time offenders
- If accepted, you complete all program requirements in lieu of prosecution
- Successful completion results in a full dismissal of your assault charge
- Once dismissed, you may be eligible to have the arrest expunged from your record — as if it never happened
A few things to know before applying:
- The program isn’t automatic — acceptance isn’t guaranteed
- Applying requires an attorney
- Eligibility depends on the specific facts of your case
We assess whether PTIP is a realistic option based on what the evidence actually shows, help you apply, and guide you through every requirement. If it’s on the table for you, it’s almost always worth pursuing. We’ll tell you honestly whether it is.
Call 512-887-0115 to find out if you qualify for PTIP.
How Attorney Clovis Martin Defends Assault Charges
Every assault case we take starts the same way: we look at exactly what the evidence actually shows — not what the police report says it shows.
That means reviewing body camera footage, witness statements, medical documentation, and the circumstances of the arrest itself. We’ve seen cases where the police report told one story and the video told a completely different one. We’ve also handled cases where the charge itself was legally unsupportable from the beginning.
Depending on the facts, our defense approach may include:
- Challenging the sufficiency or reliability of the evidence
- Contesting the classification of the charge (e.g., whether conduct rises to bodily injury vs. offensive contact)
- Negotiating with the Williamson County DA’s office for reduction or dismissal
- Pursuing PTIP eligibility for qualifying first-time offenders
- Developing a trial strategy where the facts support fighting the charge outright
We don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. Assault cases vary significantly by the relationship between the parties, the evidence available, and the prior record of the defendant — and the defense strategy has to reflect that.
Why Georgetown Assault Defendants Choose Clovis Martin
There are a lot of criminal defense attorneys in Texas. Here’s what makes a difference when your case is in Williamson County specifically.
We’re two blocks from the courthouse. The Law Office of Clovis Martin is located at 601 Quail Valley Dr., Suite 357 — two blocks from the Williamson County Courthouse. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the way this court operates. That familiarity isn’t a small thing when it comes to negotiating outcomes or reading a room.
Your case stays with one attorney. Clovis Martin personally handles every case we take. You won’t be passed off to an associate or a paralegal. The attorney you speak with on day one is the attorney who handles your case through resolution.
We’ve been here well over a decade. Georgetown criminal defense isn’t a side practice for us — it’s the only thing we do, and we’ve been doing it in this community for well over a decade.
See our past results: dismissed and reduced assault cases →
Frequently Asked Questions About Assault Charges in Texas
How Long Do You Go to Jail for Assault in Texas?
It depends entirely on the charge level. A Class C misdemeanor assault carries no jail time — only a fine up to $500. A Class A misdemeanor carries up to one year in county jail. Aggravated assault as a second-degree felony carries two to 20 years in state prison. The charge level is determined by the conduct alleged, the relationship between the parties, and whether a weapon was involved — which is why getting an attorney involved early, before the charge is formally filed, can sometimes affect what you’re ultimately facing.
Can Assault Charges Be Dropped if the Victim Doesn’t Press Charges?
Not automatically — and this catches a lot of people off guard. In Texas, the state controls the prosecution, not the alleged victim. Once charges are submitted to the District Attorney’s office, the DA decides whether to proceed regardless of what the alleged victim wants. That said, an uncooperative complainant does affect the strength of the prosecution’s case, and we factor that into how we approach negotiations. An experienced attorney who knows the Williamson County DA’s office can often use that dynamic to a client’s significant advantage.
Can a First-Time Assault Charge Be Dismissed in Williamson County?
Yes — and the Pre-Trial Intervention Program exists specifically for this situation. PTIP is a six-month diversion program available to first-time offenders in Williamson County. Successful completion results in a dismissal of the charge, which then opens the door to expunction. Not every first-time offender qualifies — the facts of the case and the specific charge matter — but it’s one of the first things we evaluate when we take on a new assault case. Applying for PTIP requires attorney assistance, and we’ve navigated that process many times.
Will an Assault Conviction Affect My Gun Rights in Texas?
For standard assault convictions, Texas law doesn’t automatically prohibit firearm possession — but an assault family violence conviction is different. Under federal law, a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence permanently disqualifies a person from possessing a firearm. This applies even to Class A misdemeanor assault family violence convictions. It’s one of the least-discussed consequences of an AFV conviction and one of the most permanent — another reason why how your charge is classified matters enormously from the very beginning.
If you’ve been charged with assault in Georgetown or Williamson County, the window to act is shorter than most people think. Evidence gets reviewed, prosecution decisions get made, and program eligibility windows close — all before many defendants have even spoken to an attorney. Clovis Martin has defended assault cases in this courthouse for well over a decade, and a free consultation costs you nothing. The call you make today can change what this charge looks like a year from now.
Call 512-887-0115 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.