A Williamson County assault lawyer handles cases that range from simple misdemeanor assault to felony aggravated assault, and a large category in the middle — assault involving family or household members, which Texas treats as family violence. RRK Law takes urgent calls after an arrest, after service of a protective order, or when bond conditions are causing immediate problems.
Assault cases under Texas Penal Code Chapter 22 turn on the specific conduct alleged: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury; threatening another with imminent bodily injury; or causing offensive or provocative physical contact. The classification, the alleged victim's status, and the use of a weapon all change the punishment range.
Nothing on this page is legal advice. Whether a particular assault case is best resolved by negotiation, by motion practice, or by trial depends on the police reports, body camera footage, statements made, and the physical evidence.
Need help now? Call RRK Law: (512) 436-2779 — free consultation for Austin, Travis County, and Williamson County.
Types of assault charges in Texas
Simple assault by causing bodily injury under Texas Penal Code §22.01(a)(1) is generally a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $4,000. Assault by threat or by offensive contact under §22.01(a)(2) and (a)(3) is generally a Class C misdemeanor (citation-level) but can be enhanced.
Aggravated assault under §22.02 is a second-degree felony (range 2 to 20 years) when the actor causes serious bodily injury or uses or exhibits a deadly weapon, and can be a first-degree felony in some scenarios involving family violence or public servants.
Assault involving family violence — that is, against a family or household member, or a person in a dating relationship — is enhanced in several ways. A second family-violence assault, or a first that involves impeding breath or circulation, is a third-degree felony. Special findings of family violence carry collateral consequences far beyond the sentence itself.
Protective orders and bond conditions after a family violence arrest
After a family violence arrest, an emergency protective order under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.292 can be issued at magistration. It can restrict contact with the alleged victim, prohibit returning to a shared residence, prohibit firearm possession, and require staying a certain distance from school or workplace. Violations are themselves criminal offenses.
A separate civil protective order under Family Code Chapter 85 can be sought by the alleged victim through the County or District Attorney's protective order division or by private counsel. Civil protective orders can extend for two years (or longer in some cases) and have their own factual showings.
Bond conditions in assault cases routinely include no-contact orders, GPS monitoring, alcohol monitoring, and travel restrictions. Modifying these conditions after they are entered is harder than getting them right at magistration.
Evidence that drives assault outcomes
Officer body camera footage, 911 audio, and patrol-car dash camera footage usually capture the scene shortly after the alleged incident. Statements made by the alleged victim, witnesses, and the defendant — including informal comments — are recorded. Early discovery requests preserve the ability to use these.
Photographs of injuries, medical records, and recanting statements by the alleged victim all carry weight depending on the case. Texas case law allows certain prior consistent or inconsistent statements to come in even where the alleged victim does not appear at trial. The federal and Texas confrontation clause rules also affect how some statements can be used.
Social media posts, text messages, and call logs often contain the most important pre- and post-incident communications. Each of these has retention rules; preservation letters and subpoenas need to be timely.
Local procedure in Williamson County
After booking at Williamson County jail in Georgetown, the magistrate sets bond and conditions under Code of Criminal Procedure Article 17.292 if family violence is alleged. The first court setting is at the Williamson County Courthouse and Justice Center in Georgetown — District Courts for felonies, County Courts at Law for misdemeanors.
Many assault cases begin in County Court at Law and stay there if the offense is a misdemeanor. Felony assault and aggravated assault cases move through the District Courts. Cross-referrals between courts are common when the original charge level changes after the indictment process.
The District or County Attorney's office handles family violence cases through specialized prosecutors who coordinate with victim services. Defense counsel typically engages early to address pretrial intervention, deferred adjudication where allowed, and any family-violence finding consequences.
How RRK Law handles a Williamson County assault case
Call (512) 436-2779. The first call usually establishes whether an emergency protective order has been issued, what the bond conditions are, and when the next court setting is.
The intake gathers the charging document, the magistrate's order, any protective order, the inventory of seized property, and (if available) photographs and medical documents. Discovery requests and preservation letters follow.
Strategy on an assault case depends on the strength of the State's evidence, the alleged victim's level of cooperation, and the long-term consequences of any family-violence finding (firearm restrictions, immigration consequences, enhancement for any future arrest). The right answer comes from looking at the actual record.
What is the difference between assault and aggravated assault in Texas?
Simple assault under Texas Penal Code §22.01 generally involves causing bodily injury, threatening imminent injury, or offensive contact. Aggravated assault under §22.02 involves serious bodily injury or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. Punishment ranges differ significantly — simple assault is usually a misdemeanor while aggravated assault is a second-degree felony or higher.
What does a family violence finding mean beyond the sentence?
A family violence finding under Texas Family Code §71.004 carries collateral consequences including federal firearm prohibitions, enhanced future charges, and consequences in family-law cases. A finding may also affect immigration status and certain occupational licenses. Avoiding the finding (where the facts allow) can matter more than the immediate sentence.
What happens if the alleged victim does not want to press charges?
In Texas, the State (not the alleged victim) decides whether to prosecute. The alleged victim is a witness, not the complainant in a legal sense. The State can and often does pursue a family violence case without the alleged victim's cooperation, using police observations, body camera footage, 911 audio, and other admissible statements.
Can I contact the alleged victim if I have not been served with a protective order?
If there is an emergency protective order or any bond condition prohibiting contact, contact is itself a separate offense. Even without a no-contact order, contact during a pending case is often a bad idea — it can be misinterpreted, recorded, and used as evidence of tampering or intimidation. The safe answer is no contact until counsel has reviewed the conditions.
Are these calls confidential even if I do not hire the firm?
Yes. Communications with a lawyer for the purpose of obtaining legal advice are protected by the attorney-client privilege under Texas Rule of Evidence 503, and that protection generally applies to initial consultations whether or not the client retains the firm. Do not include third parties in the call (other than co-clients) because the presence of an outsider can waive the privilege.
Related RRK Law resources
Need a Texas attorney for this issue?
The Law Offices of RRK, LLC represents Austin and Central Texas clients on personal injury, family law, and criminal defense matters. Free consultations. Call (512) 436-2779 or visit rrklawoffice.com.