I Was Charged with Simple Assault After a Bar Incident. What Should I Do?

 Posted on May 10, 2023 in Criminal Law

In its severest form, Texas law defines simple assault as an act where someone intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another individual. In Texas, the most severe simple assault charge is that which results in the bodily injury of the sufferer as a Class A misdemeanor offense, carrying up to one year of jail time and fines reaching $4,000. A conviction of this offense can have many adverse consequences, including damaging your reputation, affecting your future job prospects, and alienating or losing close personal friends. However, with effective criminal legal representation, you can give yourself a chance to fight the charges and pursue a favorable case outcome.

Considerations for a Simple Assault Charge

Picture this: you are in a bar with friends when suddenly, you hear a bar patron berating your friend over the color shirt they are wearing. Upset, you spin around, and will all your might; you aggressively shove the person, only for them to fall flat on their back and hit their head on a bar stool. As the bar patron lies bleeding on the floor, writhing in pain, the police are called, and you are arrested for simple assault.

Sitting in a jail cell, you begin frantically thinking about what to do. The time after being arrested can be a time of frantic panic and worry. The first thing you should do in this situation is to call a criminal defense attorney. This is a crucial first step, as you certainly do not want to represent yourself in a criminal matter. Your attorney will work with you to understand the circumstances surrounding your case and whether you acted recklessly or provocatively, which resulted in the bodily injury of another. At this time, being completely honest with your attorney will be essential, as lying will only hurt yourself and your case.

Furthermore, in addition to examining the circumstances, your attorney will investigate other case facts. Such as, were you acting in self-defense? Is there surveillance footage of the incident? Your attorney will consider all facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and will then prescribe what they believe will be an effective defense strategy.

Contact a San Antonio, Texas, Criminal Defense Attorney

Do not make the mistake of believing that just because you have been charged with a misdemeanor, this somehow means the crime which you have been charged with committing is not a serious offense. It is a grave offense that has the potential to threaten your freedom. Contact the San Antonio criminal defense lawyer with Law Offices of Sam H. Lock for qualified legal representation. Call 210-226-0965 for a

Source - https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._penal_code_section_22.01