Violent Crime Attorney in Pearland

Serious Charges Need A Focused Criminal Defense Team

Being arrested or investigated for a violent offense can turn your life upside down in a single day. You may be worried about jail, your job, and how this will affect your family, and you may not know who to trust or what your next step should be. At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we defend people accused of serious crimes in this part of Texas, and we are here to help you understand your options.

Our firm brings over 32 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case. We focus our practice on DWI and criminal defense, and we use that background to navigate complex and high stakes situations. When you contact our team, you speak with attorneys who know Texas criminal law and who are committed to protecting your rights from the start.

Get a violent crime attorney in Pearland who understands the system from the inside out. Call the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez at (832) 900-9867 or contact us online for a consultation. We speak Spanish and are ready to fight for you.

Understanding Violent Crime Laws in Texas

Texas law categorizes "Offenses Against the Person" under Title 5 of the Texas Penal Code. These are among the most heavily scrutinized crimes in the state, often involving the use or threat of force. Navigating these statutes requires a Pearland violent crimes lawyer who stays current with the frequent legislative updates that characterize Texas criminal law.

Violent crimes encompass a wide range of allegations, each with specific legal definitions:

• Assault (Tex. Penal Code § 22.01): This occurs when a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, threatens another with imminent bodily injury, or causes physical contact that is perceived as offensive.
• Aggravated Assault (Tex. Penal Code § 22.02): A much more serious charge that arises if the assault causes "serious bodily injury" or if a "deadly weapon" is used or exhibited during the act. In Texas, a "deadly weapon" is broadly defined and can include anything from a firearm to a motor vehicle or even one’s own hands, depending on how they were used.
• Robbery and Aggravated Robbery: These involve theft accompanied by the use or threat of force. If a deadly weapon is displayed or if the victim is elderly or disabled, the charge is elevated to aggravated robbery, which is a first-degree felony.
• Homicide Offenses: This umbrella term includes murder, capital murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Each carries different requirements regarding the defendant's mental state (intent vs. recklessness).
• Family Violence: If a violent act is committed against a family member, household member, or someone in a dating relationship, the case is flagged as "family violence." This carries specific "collateral" consequences, such as the loss of firearm rights, even for a misdemeanor.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Violent Convictions in Texas

Texas is uncompromising when it comes to sentencing for violent offenses. A conviction can lead to decades in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Statutory Sentencing Ranges

• First-Degree Felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison.
• Second-Degree Felony: 2 to 20 years in prison.
• Third-Degree Felony: 2 to 10 years in prison.
• State Jail Felony: 180 days to 2 years in a state jail facility.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond the immediate sentence, a violent crime conviction creates a permanent barrier to a normal life:

• No Parole Eligibility: Under the "Section 3g" (now Article 42A.054) rules, certain violent crimes require a defendant to serve at least half of their sentence before being eligible for parole.
• Firearm Prohibitions: A felony conviction results in a lifetime ban on firearm possession under federal law and strict limitations under Texas law.
• Employment and Housing: Most background checks will flag a violent conviction, making it nearly impossible to secure high-level employment or rent in many communities.
• Bail Restrictions: Recent 2025 bail reforms in Texas (SB 9) have made it significantly harder for those accused of violent crimes to receive personal bonds, often requiring higher cash bail amounts to secure release before trial.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Violent Crime Defense

Strong defense work begins with listening. When you come to us, we take time to hear your account of what happened, your concerns, and your priorities. We then review the available evidence, including police reports, witness statements, and any recordings or photographs, to see how the state is portraying the incident and where there may be gaps or contradictions.

At the Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we provide an aggressive and sophisticated defense. Our methodology includes:

• Self-Defense Analysis: Texas has robust "Stand Your Ground" and "Castle Doctrine" laws. We thoroughly investigate whether our client’s actions were a justified response to an imminent threat of harm.
• Forensic Investigation: We don't take the police's forensic reports at face value. We look for cross-contamination of DNA or errors in blood-spatter analysis that could point to a different narrative.
• Prosecutorial Insight: Having served as a former prosecutor in Brazoria County, Steve O. Gonzalez anticipates the state's tactics. We know how they build their cases, which allows us to stay two steps ahead.
• Multilingual Support: Legal jargon is confusing enough in one's native language. Our team provides support in both English and Spanish, ensuring every client fully understands their options and the risks involved.

As we develop a strategy, we prepare for both negotiations and the possibility of trial. We discuss realistic options with you, based on the facts and law, and we work to position your case as favorably as possible. While no attorney can promise a specific result, our focus is on protecting your rights, challenging weak or unfair evidence, and seeking the best available outcome under your circumstances.

Why Our Criminal Defense Team Is Trusted With Serious Cases

When your freedom and record are on the line, you need more than general legal knowledge. You need attorneys who spend their time defending people accused of crimes. At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, our team has over 32 years of combined criminal defense experience, and our daily work focuses on DWI and other criminal matters in Texas courts. That depth helps us recognize the issues that often decide violent crime cases, from self defense questions to weaknesses in how an investigation was handled.

Our firm is led by attorneys Steve O. Gonzalez and Kristina King. They guide our criminal defense practice with a shared commitment to advocacy and a willingness to take on challenging accusations. We appear for clients in courts across Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties, which gives us practical insight into how cases move through these different systems and what local practices you may encounter.

Clients choose us because of how we approach their cases. We value integrity, so we give honest feedback about risks and options. We are known for tenacity, which means we look closely at the evidence, question assumptions in police reports, and stand firm when prosecutors push for harsh results. Most importantly, we treat every case as personal. We work to understand your goals, your background, and your concerns, then build a tailored defense plan instead of relying on a one size fits all approach.

A violent crime charge is a battle for your freedom. Ensure you have a Pearland violent crimes lawyer with the experience and passion to win. Contact us today at (832) 900-9867 or reach out through our online form.