Assault and violent charges
Dallas violent crimes lawyer.
A violent felony charge in Texas can carry decades in prison, and a deadly weapon finding changes how much of that time is actually served. These cases are often decided by video, witnesses and the first few days of investigation, and that evidence starts disappearing almost at once. We move quickly to save the footage, find the witnesses and build self-defense or identity issues before the State's version hardens. Mr. Estrada, licensed in Texas since 2003, reads every file himself and we answer 24/7, in English or Spanish.
Right now
If you or someone you love was just arrested.
- 01
Say nothing about what happened
Not to detectives, not on a jail phone, not to a cellmate and not on social media. Even a true explanation of self-defense can be twisted when it comes out in pieces. Ask for a lawyer and stop talking.
- 02
Remember that jail calls are recorded
Family members: every call and video visit from the jail is recorded and can be played to a jury. Talk about bond, money and family, never about the case.
- 03
List the cameras and the witnesses
Write down every business, apartment complex, doorbell and phone that might have recorded the incident, and everyone who was there. Many systems record over themselves within days.
- 04
Do not contact the complaining witness
Reaching out, even to apologize or to ask what they told police, can lead to tampering or retaliation charges and a higher bond. Let us handle every contact.
- 05
Call us about bond today
Bonds in violent cases are often high, and some charges can now be held without bail. We can ask for a bond hearing and a reduction. The consultation is free.
Key deadlines and numbers
- Aggravated assault
- Second degree felony: 2 to 20 yearsSource: Tex. Penal Code 22.02
- Aggravated robbery
- First degree felony: 5 to 99 years or lifeSource: Tex. Penal Code 29.03
- Deadly weapon finding
- No judge-ordered probation, and parole only after half the sentenceSource: Tex. Gov't Code 508.145
- Self-defense
- No duty to retreat where you have a right to beSource: Tex. Penal Code 9.32
- Bail on some violent felonies
- Can be denied since late 2025 if the State meets its burden
Texas law
How Texas punishes violent offenses.
Most violent charges in Texas are felonies. The level depends on the injury, whether a weapon was used or shown, who the complaining witness was and what else was happening at the time. Prior felony convictions can raise any of these ranges.
| Offense | Offense level | Range of punishment and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deadly conduct (reckless, puts someone in danger) | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail, fine up to $4,000 |
| Deadly conduct by firing at people, a home, a building or a car | Third degree felony | 2 to 10 years, fine up to $10,000 |
| Aggravated assault (serious injury, or using or showing a deadly weapon) | Second degree felony | 2 to 20 years; first degree in some cases, such as against a public servant |
| Robbery (theft plus injury or a threat) | Second degree felony | 2 to 20 years, fine up to $10,000 |
| Aggravated robbery (weapon, serious injury, or a victim 65 or older or disabled) | First degree felony | 5 to 99 years or life, fine up to $10,000 |
| Burglary of a home | Second degree felony | 2 to 20 years; first degree if the intent was a felony other than theft |
| Kidnapping / aggravated kidnapping | Third degree / first degree felony | 2 to 10 years / 5 to 99 or life; second degree if the person was released alive in a safe place |
Self-defense and defense of others
Texas allows force, and in some situations deadly force, when you reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect yourself or someone else. The law presumes your belief was reasonable when someone was unlawfully forcing their way into your occupied home, car or workplace. Once the evidence raises self-defense, the State has to disprove it.
Source: Tex. Penal Code 9.31 to 9.33Almost anything can be a deadly weapon
A gun or knife is obvious, but a car, a bat, a bottle or even a boot can count if it was used in a way capable of causing death or serious injury. Whether a deadly weapon finding goes into the judgment is one of the most important fights in the case.
Source: Tex. Penal Code 1.07(a)(17)3g offenses change probation and parole
Aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, murder and any felony with a deadly weapon finding are known as 3g offenses. A judge cannot place you on regular probation after a conviction, and parole eligibility starts only after half the sentence, with a minimum of two years. In some cases a jury can recommend probation or a judge can grant deferred adjudication.
Source: Tex. Code Crim. Proc. 42A.054Bail rules changed in 2025
New laws limit personal bonds for many violent charges, and since voters approved Proposition 3 in November 2025, judges must deny bail for certain violent felonies when the State proves flight risk or danger. A prepared bond hearing matters more than ever.
Source: Texas courts: SB 9 overviewHow we work
How we build the defense.
Mr. Estrada reads your file and sets the strategy. Our team and outside investigators work the details with him, and you get updates in English or Spanish.
01
Save the video before it is gone
We send preservation letters to businesses, apartment managers and the city for camera footage, and we request the 911 audio, dispatch records and body camera video. Footage the police did not collect is often the most important.
02
Run our own investigation
Our investigators visit the scene, measure distances and lighting, find witnesses the police never interviewed and check what the complaining witness posted before and after.
03
Test the identification
Eyewitness mistakes are a leading cause of wrongful convictions. Texas requires written lineup procedures, and we challenge photo lineups and show-ups that were suggestive or did not follow them.
04
Build self-defense from day one
Your injuries, prior threats, the other person's history, and what a reasonable person in your place would have believed. We document it early, before memories and photos fade.
05
Fight the deadly weapon finding and the level
Even when some conduct is not in dispute, the difference between aggravated and simple assault, or between a deadly weapon finding and none, can mean years. We negotiate from a case that is ready for trial, and you can choose a jury to decide punishment.
Who handles it
The lawyer on the sign is the lawyer on your case.
Mr. Estrada has practiced in Texas since 2003, in state court and in the Northern, Eastern and Western federal districts of Texas. He reads the file and sets the strategy, with associates and staff who work the case alongside him. Everything is explained to you in English or Spanish.
What clients say
“Our experience with this law firm was simply everything we could've asked for. They answered all of our questions in a timely manner, followed up with us. As for pricing, it was very reasonable and honestly less than we anticipated. Last, but not least, thank you Liz and Vianey for being so helpful throughout this process.”What a violent felony charge can mean beyond prison.
- Can I be deported?
- Robbery and many assault charges are treated harshly under immigration law, and a crime of violence with a sentence of a year or more can be an aggravated felony, which almost always means removal. Tell us your status at the first meeting so every offer is judged with that in mind.
- Will I lose my gun rights?
- A felony conviction bars firearm possession under federal law. Texas allows a person with a felony conviction to have a gun only at home, and only five years after the sentence or supervision ends. While the case is pending, bond conditions usually forbid guns too.
- What about my job and my record?
- Many violent offenses cannot be sealed with an order of nondisclosure, even after deferred adjudication, and they weigh heavily in background checks and professional licensing. A dismissal or an acquittal can be expunged, which is why the outcome matters so much.
Dallas and Odessa
Violent felony cases in Dallas and Odessa.
In Dallas County, people arrested on violent felonies are held at Lew Sterrett jail, and their cases go to the criminal district courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building on Riverfront Boulevard after a grand jury indictment. In Odessa, arrests go to the Ector County jail and cases to the Ector County district courts. We have dealt with all the local jails, and we work with outside investigators on serious cases in both cities.
FAQ
Questions people ask.
Can I get probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon?
A judge cannot give regular probation after a conviction with a deadly weapon finding, but deferred adjudication or jury-recommended probation may be possible in some cases. Getting the deadly weapon finding removed or the charge reduced opens more options.
What is the difference between robbery and theft?
Robbery is theft plus causing injury or making someone afraid of injury. A shove while leaving a store with merchandise can turn a shoplifting case into a second degree felony. That jump is often worth challenging.
Does self-defense work in Texas?
It can. Texas law protects reasonable force, and in some cases deadly force, with no duty to retreat where you had a right to be. The details decide it: who started it, what you knew and what a reasonable person would have believed.
Can the judge deny bail?
For certain violent felonies, yes. Since late 2025, judges must deny bail when the State proves the person is a flight risk or a danger. That makes the bond hearing a real hearing, with evidence, and we prepare for it that way.
The other person does not want to press charges. Is the case over?
Not by itself. The prosecutor decides, and can go forward with video, 911 calls and police testimony. What the complaining witness wants still matters, and we make sure it is heard the right way.
How much does it cost to hire you?
The first consultation is free. We discuss the fee and payment options up front.
Related situations
- Murder and manslaughter
- Assault and family violence
- Jail release, bond and warrants
- Juvenile defense
- Immigration consequences of a charge
- Federal gun charges
- All: State Criminal Defense
Updated October 2026
This page is general information about Texas law, not legal advice for your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Two offices
Oak Cliff and Odessa.
Mon to Fri 9 to 5, Sat 9 to 12. Emergencies 24/7 by phone.
Law Office of Olegario Estrada, P.C.
We explain everything.We answer 24/7.Se habla español.
Free consultation by phone, video, or in person. Offices in Dallas and Odessa.