Assault Attorney in Fort Worth

Trial-Tested Defense for Assault Charges in Tarrant County Since 1997

An assault charge in Texas moves fast. From the moment of arrest, decisions about how to respond shape everything that follows. Cañas & Flores has defended people facing criminal charges throughout the Fort Worth area since 1997, and our office handles everything from Class C misdemeanor assault citations to serious felony indictments. Attorneys Armando Flores and Kerry Yanez lead every case as trial-tested advocates who know Tarrant County’s courts firsthand.

Our office is 100% bilingual. English- and Spanish-speaking clients communicate directly with our attorneys and staff, without an interpreter, so nothing gets lost when the details matter most.

If you or someone you know is facing an assault charge in Fort Worth, call us now at (817) 500-9448 or reach out through our contact form. We offer free, confidential consultations and respond promptly.

What Texas Law Means by “Assault”

Texas Penal Code Section 22.01 defines assault three ways: intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing bodily injury to another person; intentionally or knowingly threatening someone with imminent bodily injury; or intentionally causing physical contact the actor knows the other person can find offensive or provocative. Each category carries a different charge level, and understanding which applies to your situation is the starting point for any defense.

Assault by threat or offensive contact is typically a Class C misdemeanor. Assault causing bodily injury rises to a Class A misdemeanor, but a family violence enhancement, often triggered by a prior family-violence conviction, or an offense against a public servant performing official duties can push it to a third-degree felony. Aggravated assault, charged under a separate statute, requires the state to prove either serious bodily injury or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon.

Penalties by Charge Level

The range of consequences is wide, which is why charge classification matters from day one:

• Class C misdemeanor: Maximum $500 fine, no jail time
• Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail, a fine up to $4,000, or both
• Third-degree felony (certain enhancements, such as assault on a public servant): 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
• Second-degree felony aggravated assault: 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
• First-degree felony aggravated assault (deadly weapon used against a family or household member causing serious bodily injury): 5 to 99 years or life

A misdemeanor conviction can still affect employment, housing, and immigration status. A felony indictment changes the stakes entirely. Neither should be treated as a minor inconvenience.

Defense Strategies Under Texas Law

Every assault case turns on its specific facts, but several defenses arise frequently. Self-defense and defense of others, codified in Penal Code Chapter 9, apply when the force used was a reasonable response to a perceived threat. Texas Penal Code Section 22.06 recognizes consent as a defense to certain assaultive conduct, relevant in contexts like athletic competition or mutual altercations where both parties agreed to the contact.

Intent is also a required element under most subsections of Section 22.01. When contact was accidental or the conduct was reckless rather than intentional, that distinction can be central to challenging what the state must prove. We review the evidence, the circumstances, and the applicable statutes to identify where the state’s case is weakest.

Where Tarrant County Assault Cases Are Heard

Misdemeanor assault cases in Tarrant County are heard in the county’s 10 criminal courts. Felony-level charges, including aggravated assault, go before 11 district courts. Both systems operate out of the Tim Curry Justice Center in downtown Fort Worth. Our attorneys appear in these courts regularly, and that familiarity with how Tarrant County prosecutors and judges approach assault cases informs how we build every defense.

Representation Designed Around Your Situation

Armando Flores and Kerry Yanez bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case. We understand the specific concerns many clients carry into a first meeting: what a charge means for their job, their family, and, for some clients, their immigration status. We offer after-hours meetings when standard business hours don’t work, and our Fort Worth office is accessible by public transportation, with parking available. An assault charge doesn’t wait for a convenient moment, and neither do we.

Talk to a Fort Worth Assault Lawyer Today

The earlier you have counsel, the more options can be available. Cañas & Flores offers a free, confidential consultation for people facing assault charges in Fort Worth and throughout Tarrant County. Call us at (817) 500-9448 or use our contact form to get started.