Aggravated Assault Defense Attorney in Pearland

Put Over 32 Years of Combined Experience Behind Your Defense

If you or someone you care about has been accused of aggravated assault in Pearland, you’re facing one of the most serious charges in Texas criminal law. A conviction can threaten your freedom, your job, your family relationships, and your future. You may already have a court date scheduled and feel that the system is moving faster than you can keep up.

At Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez, we defend people who are dealing with life-changing criminal accusations, including aggravated assault, across Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties. Our attorneys bring over 32 years of combined criminal defense and DWI experience, and we use that background to carefully evaluate the facts, the law, and the options in every case.

We listen to your account, explain the charge, and outline the next procedural steps. You can contact us to discuss what happened, what you’re charged with, and what the next steps may look like.

Your reputation and your liberty are on the line. For personalized defense and bilingual service, reach out to us at (832) 900-9867 or through our contact form.

Understanding Aggravated Assault Laws in Texas

Under Texas Penal Code Section 22.02, a standard assault becomes aggravated when the actor either causes serious bodily injury to another person or uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the offense. Identifying which theory the state is pursuing matters because each one requires a different defensive approach. We carefully compare the charging document and the available evidence against the statutory elements before forming any strategy.

Texas law defines these critical terms broadly:

• Serious Bodily Injury: Injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or causes protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ. A broken bone, a deep scar, or an injury requiring surgery can meet this definition depending on the circumstances.
• Deadly Weapon: Firearms and knives are clear examples, but Texas law also includes anything that in the manner of its use or intended use is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. Vehicles, bats, or other objects may qualify based on how they were used, not simply on what they are.

The legal classification of the offense depends on the conduct alleged and the statutory circumstances, not merely on whether a particular object was present at the scene. We evaluate whether reports, video, physical evidence, and witness statements support how the state is characterizing that evidence.

Penalties & Consequences of an Aggravated Assault Conviction

Aggravated assault under Texas Penal Code Section 22.02 is generally classified as a second-degree felony, but certain circumstances can elevate it to a first-degree felony. We explain the exposure associated with the charged degree and identify factors that may affect negotiation, litigation, or trial strategy.

Second-Degree Felony

Most aggravated assault charges are filed as second-degree felonies. The statutory punishment range includes:

• Prison: 2 to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
• Fine: Up to $10,000.

First-Degree Felony

Certain allegations can elevate the charge to a first-degree felony, carrying 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. These include specified conduct involving the use of a deadly weapon that causes serious bodily injury to a person in a protected family or dating relationship, assaults against certain public servants performing their duties, assaults against witnesses or informants, specified conduct involving process servers or security officers, discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle under specified circumstances, mass shootings, and other categories identified in the statute. This list reflects common scenarios but isn’t exhaustive; the statute contains additional categories and has been amended over time.

Collateral Consequences

Beyond imprisonment and fines, a felony conviction can carry significant consequences that depend on the disposition, individual circumstances, and applicable state or federal law. We consider how a charge may affect each client’s employment, professional licensing, family circumstances, and immigration concerns without treating any consequence as automatic.

• Firearm Rights: A felony conviction may affect firearm ownership under federal and state law, with the extent depending on the nature of the conviction and applicable statutes.
• Professional Licensing: Many medical, legal, and education licensing boards consider felony convictions during applications or renewals; outcomes vary by board and circumstance.
• Immigration Status: A non-citizen convicted of a crime of violence may face serious immigration consequences depending on their status, the conviction, and applicable federal law.
• Housing and Employment: Background checks can create obstacles, though the severity depends on the employer, industry, housing provider, and nature of the conviction.

How Our Team Builds a Defense to Aggravated Assault

When we accept an aggravated assault case, we start by taking the time to understand what led up to the arrest and how the state is framing the accusations. We review the charging document, police reports, and any available video or other physical evidence to see how the facts line up with the legal elements the prosecution must prove. Our attorneys look for gaps, inconsistencies, and assumptions that can be challenged.

In many aggravated assault cases, questions about intent, self-defense, and the role of any alleged weapon are central. We evaluate whether the evidence supports a claim that you acted to protect yourself or someone else, whether the injury described truly qualifies as serious bodily injury, and whether the item called a deadly weapon fits that legal definition. We also pay attention to witness statements and how they might be affected by stress, bias, or misunderstanding.

Our team doesn’t use a one-size-fits-all plan. The facts of a domestic argument in a Pearland home are different from a late-night confrontation outside a business, and each scenario calls for a different approach. Drawing on our experience in courts across Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties, we consider local procedures when evaluating options ranging from negotiation to contested hearings and trials.

Former Prosecutorial Insight for Serious Assault Charges

Our firm brings more than 32 years of combined criminal defense and DWI experience to aggravated assault cases, and we draw on that history when we evaluate charges, evidence, and options. Steve Gonzalez served as a Brazoria County Assistant District Attorney before founding the firm, giving our team direct insight into how serious cases are built and challenged on both sides.

Criminal defense isn’t a sideline for us. Our practice focuses on DWI and other criminal matters, which helps us stay familiar with the procedures, prosecutors, and judges in Brazoria, Galveston, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties. For someone charged with a violent felony in or around Pearland, that familiarity can matter when assessing potential plea offers, filing motions, or preparing for contested hearings. Pearland itself extends across more than one county, so the court handling a case depends on where the alleged offense occurred; we confirm jurisdiction early and guide clients accordingly.

We also emphasize personalized representation. That means we take the time to hear your perspective, learn about your background, and understand what matters most to you, whether that’s protecting a professional license, staying employed, or limiting the risk of incarceration as much as possible.

Steve Gonzalez and Kristina King lead our firm. We pair determined advocacy with straightforward communication, keep clients informed about their cases, and serve Spanish-speaking clients.

To discuss your aggravated assault case with a criminal defense attorney serving the Pearland area, call Law Office of Steve O. Gonzalez at (832) 900-9867 or contact us online. Hablamos Español.