Defending Clients Facing the most Serious Types of Criminal Charges
Violent offenses often lead to the most serious criminal charges possible under Texas law. All convictions of violent crimes come with harsh penalties, including lengthy terms of imprisonment. Some offenses are capital crimes, which means defendants can face the possibility of the death penalty. It is critical for anyone accused of a violent crime to seek help from an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer right away after an arrest. Contact the Law Office of Kyle Whitaker directly today.
The following are some examples of violent crimes under Texas law.
Robbery and Aggravated Robbery
Robbery occurs when a person or people forcibly take money or property from someone else. Force can involve the threat of bodily harm or inflicting bodily harm. If a robbery involves injuries to a victim or the display or use of a deadly weapon, the charges can be escalated to aggravated robbery. Robbery is a second-degree felony, and aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony.
Aggravated Assault
The crime of assault can escalate to aggravated assault if the prosecutor alleges either or both of the following:
- Exhibiting a deadly weapon during an assault, even if no bodily injury occurred
- Knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causing another person to sustain serious bodily injury
Aggravated assault can be either a second-degree felony or first-degree felony depending on the circumstances of the offense.
Sexual Assault and Rape
Texas law does not refer specifically to “rape,” but the law instead defines the criminal offense of sexual assault. Sexual assault involves the penetration of any sexual organ, the penetration of the mouth by a sexual organ, causing contact of a sexual organ with the offender’s mouth, or causing a victim’s sexual organ to penetrate the offender without the victim’s consent. “Without consent” can involve any of the following scenarios:
- Using physical force or threats of force
- The victim is unconscious or otherwise physically unable to resist the conduct
- The victim is incapable of resisting or understanding the nature of the conduct due to a mental defect
- The victim is unaware the conduct is happening
- The offender drugged the victim
- Using other forms of coercion, manipulation, or abuse of authority
Sexual assault can be charged as either a second-degree felony or first-degree felony, depending largely on the identity of the victim.
If you are in need an attorney that you can trust to fight for you, then go see Kyle. He knows the ropes and understands the system, and has earned his reputation as an aggressive attorney who will unapologetically get the job done right the first time!
Homicide
Homicide is the criminal killing of another person, and there are different homicide offenses under the law in Texas, including:
- Manslaughter - The killing occurs due to the recklessness of the offender, which involves an unjustifiable and substantial risk that death will result from the conduct.
- Murder - The killing was intentional, or the offender intentionally caused serious bodily injury that led to the death. Felony-murder happens when an offender kills someone in the course of another felony offense or attempt.
- Capital murder - Capital punishment may be possible in murder-for-hire cases, murders involving multiple victims, children, or peace officers, as well as certain felony-murder cases.
Homicide charges can range from second-degree felonies to capital crimes, with sentences including possible life imprisonment or death.
Contact a Fort Worth Violent Crimes Lawyer for Assistance Immediately
The Law Office of Kyle Whitaker handles serious violent crime cases. Because of the dire circumstances and possible penalties, you need the right defense representation as soon as possible. Call 817-332-7703 or contact us online today.