Your Aggressive And Compassionate Advocates Are Here To Help Guide You Through A Challenging Legal System

Serious Charges Require Serious Attention

The imposition of a civil restraining order against you can have very serious consequences. You can be forced out of your home, lose your child custody rights and lose your right to own a firearm. A criminal conviction for violating a restraining order can result in jail time.

In either situation, you need a strong and effective advocate who protects your rights. Your family relationships, your career and possibly your freedom are at risk. At Jeff Gilbert Law Office, our domestic violence attorneys in Brazoria County assist clients charged with domestic violence throughout Southeast Texas.

Representation At The Civil Hearing

Following the issuance of a temporary restraining or protection order, a hearing will be scheduled within two weeks regarding the issuance of a final protection order. It is essential to have legal representation at this hearing. Trying to represent yourself may produce an adverse result.

Founding attorney Jeff Gilbert represents clients in this hearing to protect their rights and present their side of the story. The goal is to prevent the issuance of a final order. If that is not possible, we seek to limit the restrictions that are placed on our clients.

Defense Of A Criminal Domestic Violence Charge

The police have very little flexibility in cases involving domestic disturbances. If they are called to the scene of an incident, they will arrest one of the parties in the dispute. It may be possible for our firm to obtain an affidavit of nonprosecution, or it may be necessary to aggressively defend the charge at trial.

We may be able to develop evidence in your favor that counters the allegations made in the criminal complaint in order to obtain a dismissal or not guilty verdict. In situations where this is not feasible, it may be possible to mitigate the penalties you face through your participation in a treatment program or anger management course.

Our Brazoria County domestic violence lawyers will explain your options so that you can make the decision that is right for you. We work diligently to protect your rights and pursue the best outcome possible.

Domestic Violence Charges And Consequences

In Texas, domestic violence charges range in severity from physical contact, like pushing, kicking and hitting, to nonphysical interactions, like threatening and intimidating. Criminal domestic violence charges carry life-altering consequences. Even if it’s your first offense, being accused of domestic violence can mean loss of freedom, serious penalties and fines.

Domestic violence charges vary based on the reviewed evidence. For example, domestic assault can be charged as follows:

  • Class C misdemeanor: There was no physical harm or pain to the victim. A Class C misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $500.
  • Class A misdemeanor: There was evidence of harm or pain to the victim. A Class A misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $4,000 and an incarceration period of up to one year.
  • Third-degree felony: There was evidence of strangulation or the perpetrator has previously been convicted of a domestic violence crime. A conviction on third-degree felony domestic violence charges can mean a two- to ten-year stay in a Texas penitentiary.

A domestic violence conviction can have life-altering consequences, like:

  • Loss of gun ownership rights
  • Loss of Texas hunting and fishing rights
  • Inability to serve as care workers or city/county/state employees
  • Loss of employment opportunities in positions of trust, like teachers, medical professionals or pilots

An attorney will ensure you are prepared to face the charges with confidence and a competent defense strategy. At Jeff Gilbert Law Office, we provide our clients with a strong criminal defense to match the severity of the charges they face.

There’s Too Much At Stake To Go It Alone

With so much at risk from a conviction, our team will give your case everything we have to fight domestic violence charges on your behalf. Jeff Gilbert Law Office has successfully represented clients in numerous domestic violence cases, in both civil protection order hearings and criminal proceedings. See how we can defend you. Call us at 979-431-1268 today to get started.