Every year, there are more than 800,000 assaults reported in the U.S. If the charge against you is felony or misdemeanor assault, you should know that a conviction may stay on your record permanently. In addition to time in prison or jail, you may be prevented from getting the type of job you want after you are released. It is extremely important that a person charged with criminal assault get the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Austin, Texas, Family Violence Courts
If you have been charged with assault and family violence, knowing the court systems can alleviate much of the fear and discomfort associated with a court appearance.
Contact the office of Hines, Ranc & Holub, for a free initial consultation to discuss the specifics of your case.
Travis County Courts and Services
- In Travis County, there is a special court created to preside over assault and family violence cases: County Court at Law #4, presided over by Judge Mike Denton.
- In Travis County, prosecution of family violence cases is divided between the county attorney, prosecuting misdemeanor cases and the district attorney, filing felony charges. Most domestic violence cases are handled by the Travis County Attorney’s office.
- Due to the zero-tolerance policy of the Travis County Attorney’s office, an inordinate number of domestic charges have been filed, followed by a humiliating number of dismissals and acquittals.
- The Travis County courts often require successful completion of family violence programs as a condition of pretrial release. Exercise caution, however, when discussing issues with representatives — programs are county-run and information is not confidential.
- The ADP Special Family Violence Team is a task force given the responsibility of coordination in family violence case arrests and investigations. The amount of money that helps fund these types of programs is proportionate to the number of arrests and convictions. You can imagine what the motivation for arresting individuals in such cases must be.
Williamson County Court
- John Bradley, Williamson County district attorney, has earned a reputation nationally for being tough on crime.
- While the Williamson County court system is not as heavily funded or organized as Travis County, prosecutors are just as aggressive.
Preparing for a Court Appearance
- We advise clients before going to court on the best way to make a good impression. Matters regarding dress, decorum in court and promptness are all addressed. In addition, we set realistic expectations regarding time, case rescheduling and possible outcomes.
Contact Hines, Ranc & Holub, today for more information regarding the Travis and Williamson County court systems.
