Being charged with a violent crime in Dallas is one of the most serious legal challenges you can face.
Texas prosecutors aggressively pursue violent crime cases, seeking maximum penalties that can include decades in prison, massive fines, and a permanent felony record that will follow you for life.
These charges carry devastating consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom—affecting your career, family relationships, housing opportunities, and fundamental rights.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we understand the gravity of your situation and the urgency required to protect your rights.
With over 35 years of combined experience defending clients against violent crime charges in Dallas County and throughout North Texas, our team provides aggressive, strategic defense representation when your freedom is on the line.
Don’t face these serious charges alone. Contact our Dallas criminal defense lawyers immediately at 197-230-38867 for a confidential consultation and let us begin building your defense today.
Don't Delay in Hiring a Dallas Violent Crimes Lawyer
⚠️ Time is critical when you’re facing violent crime charges. Every hour that passes without experienced legal representation can harm your case in ways that may be irreversible.
The moments immediately following your arrest are essential for preserving your rights and building an effective defense strategy. During this critical period, you need our experienced violent crimes attorney who will:
- Protect your constitutional rights during police questioning and prevent self-incrimination
- Preserve essential evidence before it’s lost, destroyed, or contaminated
- Interview witnesses while their memories are fresh and before they become unavailable
- Secure bail or bond at the earliest possible hearing to keep you out of custody
- Begin investigating the charges against you to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
Police and prosecutors work around the clock to build their case against you—you need equally dedicated legal representation working just as hard to protect your interests.
Types of Violent Crime Charges We Defend
Our Dallas violent crimes defense team has successfully defended clients against the full spectrum of violent crime charges. Each case requires specialized knowledge and tailored defense strategies based on the unique circumstances involved.
Assault & Aggravated Assault
Simple assault charges in Texas can escalate to aggravated assault when weapons are involved or serious bodily injury occurs. These charges range from Class C misdemeanors to first-degree felonies carrying up to life in prison.
When weapons are involved, charges may escalate to assault with a deadly weapon. Defense strategies include self-defense claims, lack of intent, and challenging the severity of alleged injuries.
Domestic Violence & Family Violence
Family violence cases often involve complex emotional dynamics and require sensitive handling. These charges can result in protective orders, loss of firearm rights, and restricted contact with family members.
We work to protect both your legal rights and family relationships while building a strong defense.
Sexual Assault & Aggravated Sexual Assault
Sexual assault charges carry severe penalties and lifelong consequences, including mandatory sex offender registration. These cases often involve consent issues, mistaken identity, or false allegations.
Our team conducts thorough investigations to uncover exculpatory evidence and challenge the prosecution’s narrative.
Robbery & Aggravated Robbery
Robbery charges in Texas are always felonies, with aggravated robbery carrying potential life sentences. These cases frequently involve issues of intent, identification, and the alleged use or display of weapons. We analyze surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence to build defense strategies.
Murder, Manslaughter, and Homicide Charges
Homicide charges represent the most serious violent crimes, potentially resulting in life imprisonment or the death penalty. Manslaughter charges involve unlawful killing without premeditation, while murder charges require proof of intent.
These complex cases require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and sophisticated legal strategies. We’ve successfully defended clients by establishing self-defense, challenging forensic evidence, and proving lack of intent.
Kidnapping & Aggravated Kidnapping
Kidnapping charges often arise from domestic disputes, custody issues, or misunderstandings about restraint and movement. These charges can result in lengthy prison sentences and sex offender registration requirements.
Our defense strategies focus on intent, consent, and the specific legal definitions of restraint and movement.
Deadly Conduct & Terroristic Threats
These charges often stem from heated arguments or misinterpreted actions. While potentially carrying lighter sentences than other violent crimes, convictions still result in serious consequences.
We work to demonstrate a lack of intent or challenge the credibility of witness testimony.
Weapons Offenses
Gun-related charges often accompany other violent crime allegations, adding years to potential sentences. Our defense strategies address licensing issues, constitutional challenges, and the legality of searches and seizures.
Penalties for Violent Crime Convictions in Texas
Knowing the potential consequences of violent crime convictions helps illustrate why experienced legal representation is needed. Texas takes a tough stance on violent offenses, with penalties that can devastate your life and future.
Offense Level | Potential Jail Time | Maximum Fine | Additional Consequences |
Class C Misdemeanor | None | $500 | Criminal record, employment impact |
Class B Misdemeanor | Up to 180 days | $2,000 | Jail time, probation possible |
Class A Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year | $4,000 | County jail, loss of rights |
State Jail Felony | 180 days – 2 years | $10,000 | State jail facility |
3rd Degree Felony | 2-10 years | $10,000 | Prison, parole eligibility |
2nd Degree Felony | 2-20 years | $10,000 | Extended prison time |
1st Degree Felony | 5-99 years or life | $10,000 | Long-term imprisonment |
Capital Murder | Life or death penalty | $10,000 | Ultimate consequences |
Collateral Consequences Beyond Prison
⚖️ Texas sentencing escalates sharply from misdemeanors to capital murder, but enhancements and collateral effects often hurt more than the headline penalty. Defense strategy must account for both.
The formal penalties represent only part of what you face with a violent crime conviction. Additional consequences include:
- Permanent criminal record visible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards
- Loss of firearm rights under both state and federal law
- Employment barriers in healthcare, education, finance, and other licensed professions
- Housing restrictions with many landlords refusing to rent to individuals with violent crime convictions
- Immigration consequences, including deportation for non-citizens
- Loss of custody rights affecting your relationship with your children
- Educational limitations with some schools refusing admission to students with violent crime records
- Professional licensing restrictions affecting lawyers, doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals
Texas imprisons more people for violent crimes than most other states, making aggressive defense representation vital for avoiding these life-altering consequences.
Need immediate assistance going through the Dallas County criminal justice system? Contact us for guidance specific to your situation.
How Our Dallas Violent Crime Defense Attorneys Can Help
When you’re facing violent crime charges, you need more than just legal representation—you need a defense strategy tailored to your specific situation.
Immediate Legal Protection
The moment you contact our office, we begin protecting your interests. We immediately advise you of your rights, ensure you understand the charges against you, and prevent any actions that could harm your case.
This includes guidance on interactions with law enforcement, family members, and potential witnesses.
Thorough Case Investigation
Our investigation goes beyond reviewing police reports and witness statements. We conduct independent fact-finding that often reveals evidence overlooked or ignored by law enforcement:
- Interviewing all potential witnesses, including those police didn’t contact
- Collecting surveillance footage from businesses, traffic cameras, and security systems
- Consulting with forensic experts to challenge physical evidence
- Examining crime scene conditions and reconstructing events
- Investigating the background and credibility of alleged victims and witnesses
Evidence Analysis and Challenge
Modern violent crime prosecutions often rely heavily on forensic evidence, but this evidence isn’t always as reliable as prosecutors claim. We work with expert witnesses to:
- Challenge the DNA evidence collection and analysis procedures
- Question fingerprint and ballistics evidence
- Examine medical evidence and injury claims
- Analyze cell phone records and digital evidence
- Investigate potential evidence tampering or mishandling
Strategic Defense Development
Based on our investigation and evidence analysis, we develop approaches that may include:
- Self-defense claims when you were protecting yourself or others
- Defense of property in appropriate circumstances
- Mistaken identity challenges when witness identifications are unreliable
- Lack of intent arguments for charges requiring specific mental states
- Alibi defenses when you were elsewhere during the alleged crime
- Constitutional challenges to evidence obtained through illegal searches or interrogations
Defense Strategies for Violent Crimes
An effective violent crime defender requires knowing both the legal elements prosecutors must prove and the strategic options available to challenge their case.
💡 Common strategies—self-defense, mistaken identity, lack of intent—work best when combined with forensic challenges and constitutional arguments that weaken the prosecution’s case.
Texas law recognizes your right to defend yourself, others, and your property under specific circumstances. Texas Penal Code Section 9.32 provides detailed guidelines for when deadly force is justified.
We thoroughly investigate whether your actions fall within these legal protections.
Eyewitness testimony, while compelling to juries, is notoriously unreliable. Research by the Innocence Project shows that mistaken eyewitness identification contributes to more than 60% of wrongful convictions. We examine:
- Lighting conditions during the alleged crime
- Distance between witnesses and events
- Duration of observation opportunities
- Stress levels affecting witness perception
- Cross-racial identification challenges
- Suggestive identification procedures by police
Prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt—the highest standard in American law. When evidence is weak, circumstantial, or contradictory, we aggressively challenge the prosecution’s ability to meet this burden.
Law enforcement officers must follow strict constitutional guidelines when investigating violent crimes. When police violate these requirements, we seek to have evidence suppressed or dismissed entirely. Violations include:
- Searches without warrants or probable cause
- Coercive interrogation techniques
- Failure to provide Miranda warnings
- Improper arrest procedures
- Evidence tampering or mishandling
Why Choose Our Dallas Violent Crimes Lawyer?
Richard C. McConathy has practiced criminal defense in Dallas County for over 35 years, developing extensive knowledge of:
- Local court procedures and unwritten rules
- Prosecutor tendencies and negotiation styles
- Judge preferences and sentencing patterns
- Jury selection strategies for Dallas County residents
This local expertise provides significant advantages in developing winning defense strategies and negotiating favorable outcomes.
We’ve successfully defended clients against serious violent crime charges, achieving:
- Complete dismissals in cases involving insufficient evidence or police misconduct
- Reduced charges from felonies to misdemeanors, avoiding prison time
- Not guilty verdicts at trial
- Favorable plea agreements that minimize long-term consequences
Recent success stories from our case files include:
- Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon: Dismissed (Dallas County, F1300346)
- Aggravated Robbery (3 Counts): Dismissed (Erath County, CR13984, CR13983, CR13982)
- Assault Family Violence: Dismissed (Dallas County, M16-10155)
Facing violent crime charges is one of life’s most stressful experiences. We provide not just legal expertise, but also:
- Clear communication about your case status and options
- Emotional support during this difficult time
- Family involvement when appropriate and helpful
- Resource connections for counseling, treatment, or other support services
- Flexible payment options to make quality defense accessible
Contact our Dallas Violent Crime Attorney Today
Your freedom, future, and family are too important to leave to chance. The prosecution has unlimited resources and experienced attorneys working to convict you. You need equally skilled and dedicated representation fighting for your rights.
📞 Call 197-230-38867 now for immediate legal assistance. We’re available 24/7 for urgent situations and offer free consultations to discuss your case and options.
Dallas Area Resources for Violent Crime Cases
When facing violent crime charges in Dallas, knowing the local legal system is essential to your case. Our attorneys work within this system daily and leverage these local connections for our clients’ benefit.
Dallas County Criminal Courts handle all felony violent crime cases in the area. The Dallas County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes these cases, while proceedings take place at the Frank Crowley Criminal Courts Building (133 N Riverfront Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207).
Getting released from custody quickly is often essential for building an effective defense. Dallas County Pretrial Services provides supervision options for defendants released on bond, while the Dallas County Bail Bond Board regulates local bail bond companies.
Many violent crime cases involve underlying mental health issues that can impact defense strategies. Dallas County MHMR provides mental health and substance abuse services that may be relevant to your case.
Our local expertise enables us to work effectively with all these agencies. We’ve built professional relationships throughout the Dallas legal community that benefit our clients through every stage of their cases.
FAQ
What is considered a violent crime in Texas?
Texas defines violent crimes as offenses involving the use or threat of physical force against another person. Common violent crimes include assault, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault, murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, and domestic violence. The Texas Penal Code provides specific definitions for each offense, with classifications ranging from misdemeanors to capital felonies depending on the circumstances and severity of the alleged conduct.
What are the penalties for violent crimes in Dallas?
Penalties vary significantly based on the specific charge and your criminal history. Misdemeanor violent crimes can result in up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000. Felony violent crimes carry prison sentences ranging from 180 days to life imprisonment, with fines up to $10,000. Capital murder charges can result in life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. Additional consequences include probation, restitution, counseling requirements, and long-term collateral consequences affecting employment, housing, and civil rights.
Can violent crime charges be reduced or dismissed?
Yes, violent crime charges can often be reduced or dismissed through skilled legal representation. Grounds for dismissal include insufficient evidence, constitutional violations by police, witness credibility problems, and prosecutorial misconduct. Charge reductions may be possible through plea negotiations when complete dismissal isn’t achievable.
Do I need a lawyer if I'm innocent?
Absolutely. Innocent people are wrongfully convicted of violent crimes more often than many realize. The complexity of the criminal justice system, combined with prosecutorial pressure to secure convictions, means that innocence alone isn’t sufficient protection. Our experienced violent crimes attorney will investigate your case thoroughly, identify exonerating evidence, challenge prosecution witnesses, and present your innocence effectively to judges and juries.
What defenses can be used in violent crime cases?
Defenses include self-defense, defense of others, defense of property, mistaken identity, lack of intent, alibi, insufficient evidence, and constitutional violations. The appropriate defense strategy depends on your specific circumstances, the evidence against you, and the prosecution’s case theory.