Aggravated Assault Attorney in Brazoria County

Felony-Level Defense Rooted in Local Prosecution Experience

An aggravated assault charge in Texas isn’t an elevated version of a routine matter. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.02, it’s a standalone felony charge that carries the possibility of years in state prison, a permanent record, and a lifetime of collateral consequences. The moment charges are filed, the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office begins building its case. You need someone who understands how that process works from the inside.

Steve Gonzalez served as a Brazoria County Assistant District Attorney from 1997 to 2000. That background means our firm doesn’t guess at how local prosecutors approach felony assault cases. We know their methods, their priorities, and the pressure points in their cases. Together with Kristina King, Steve brings more than 32 years of combined criminal defense experience to every client we represent. Our firm has helped more than 5,000 clients navigate the Texas criminal justice system.

If you’re facing an aggravated assault charge in Brazoria County, don’t wait. Call Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez now at (832) 900-9867 for a confidential consultation.

Why Clients Facing Aggravated Assault Choose Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez

Facing a felony assault charge requires a defense attorney who knows the local courts and the people who prosecute these cases. Steve Gonzalez’s tenure as a Brazoria County ADA gives our firm an inside understanding of prosecution strategy that general criminal defense experience alone can’t replicate. We use that knowledge to evaluate what the State has, identify weaknesses, and build a defense tailored to the specific facts of your case.

Steve Gonzalez is a member of the Brazoria County Bar Association, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers honoree. Steve holds an Avvo rating of 10.0; Kristina King holds an Avvo rating of 9.9. Our firm also serves Spanish-speaking clients.

How Texas Law Defines Aggravated Assault

Texas Penal Code § 22.02 creates two paths to an aggravated assault charge. The first is causing serious bodily injury to another person: injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes death, results in serious permanent disfigurement, or causes protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function. The second is using or exhibiting a deadly weapon during the commission of an assault.

A deadly weapon includes firearms and any object that, in the manner of its use or intended use, is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. Courts have extended that definition to vehicles, bats, bottles, and, in certain circumstances, hands and fists. A person can be charged even without causing physical injury if a deadly weapon was displayed during a threat. Standard aggravated assault is a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

First-Degree Felony Enhancements

Certain circumstances elevate an aggravated assault charge from a second-degree to a first-degree felony, with a punishment range of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. The most common elevation involves family violence: when a deadly weapon causes serious bodily injury to a family member, household member, or someone in a dating relationship, the charge becomes a first-degree felony under § 22.02(b)(1).

The charge also becomes a first-degree felony when the alleged victim is a peace officer, judge, prosecutor, or other public servant performing official duties, or when the assault is committed in retaliation against a witness, informant, or process server. As of September 1, 2023, a deadly weapon assault that causes a traumatic brain or spine injury resulting in persistent vegetative state or irreversible paralysis is also a first-degree felony. When a deadly weapon is personally used or exhibited, the offense is classified as a 3G offense under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054. That means a judge cannot grant community supervision after conviction.

Consequences Beyond Incarceration

A felony aggravated assault conviction produces consequences that outlast any prison sentence. A permanent felony record surfaces on every background check run by employers, landlords, and professional licensing boards. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing firearms. Depending on immigration status, a conviction can affect immigration consequences, including deportation or naturalization eligibility. A deadly weapon finding can also affect sentencing in any future criminal matter.

Our Approach to Aggravated Assault Defense

We investigate every aspect of a case before the prosecution has a chance to lock in its narrative. That includes examining witness statements, physical and medical evidence, law enforcement conduct, and the circumstances that led to the charge. Our attorneys don’t back down from tough prosecutors or difficult judges. We’ve secured not-guilty verdicts in violent crimes cases, including a result that drew coverage from FOX 26.

Depending on the facts, possible outcomes include dismissal, reduction to a lesser offense such as simple assault or deadly conduct, or a not-guilty verdict at trial. We pursue whichever path offers the best realistic chance at protecting your future.

Self-defense under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9 is a complete affirmative defense when successfully established, and we carefully evaluate whether it or another defense applies to your case. Texas law also recognizes defense of others under the same framework. If the prosecution can’t prove serious bodily injury or that the object used qualifies as a deadly weapon, a charge reduction may be possible. Challenging the deadly weapon classification is a strategy that can affect both the charge level and sentencing exposure.

Contact Our Brazoria County Aggravated Assault Defense Attorneys

Time matters after an aggravated assault arrest. Early intervention lets us secure evidence, appear at key procedural stages, and engage with the DA’s office before positions harden. We represent clients throughout Brazoria County, including Angleton, Friendswood, Lake Jackson, Alvin, Pearland, and Manvel.

Don’t face a felony charge alone. Call Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez at (832) 900-9867 or reach out online to speak with our aggravated assault defense attorneys in Brazoria County today.