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Plano Domestic Violence Lawyer

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Plano Domestic Violence LawyerBeing accused of domestic violence can upend your life in a matter of hours. You may be facing an arrest, a protective order, and the threat of jail time before you have had a chance to tell your side of the story. These charges carry consequences that go far beyond the courtroom, affecting your job, your family relationships, and your future. If you are dealing with a family violence accusation in Collin County, you need an attorney who understands how these cases are prosecuted locally and how to build a strong defense from day one.

At Pelley Law Office, we have been defending clients against criminal charges across North Texas since 1974. A Plano domestic violence lawyer from our team can walk you through the process, protect your rights, and work toward the best possible outcome. Call us at (214) 560-1919 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Why Plano Residents Trust Pelley Law Office for Criminal Defense

Why Plano Residents Trust Pelley Law Office for Criminal DefensePelley Law Office has been serving North Texas for over 50 years and understands how Collin County criminal courts operate. That institutional familiarity makes a substantial difference when your freedom is on the line.

Our managing partner, Quinton Pelley, served as a former special assistant to the district attorney. He knows how prosecutors build family violence cases and uses that insider knowledge to find weaknesses in the State’s approach. Quinton has been named one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America by the National Trial Lawyers Association and recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters. Our criminal defense case results include numerous dismissals in serious felony cases.

How Does Texas Define Family Violence?

How Does Texas Define Family Violence?Texas takes a broad approach to defining family violence. Under Texas Family Code § 71.004, family violence includes any act or threatened act intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault committed against a member of the person’s family or household.

The definition of “family” under Texas Family Code § 71.003 covers a wide range of relationships. Spouses, former spouses, parents of the same child, people related by blood or marriage, current and former household members, and individuals in current or former dating relationships all fall under the statute. This broad scope means that family violence charges can arise from disputes between people who are no longer living together or who were never married.

Penalties and Long-Term Consequences of a Family Violence Conviction in Texas

Penalties and Long-Term Consequences of a Family Violence Conviction in TexasDomestic violence charges carry both criminal and financial consequences that can impact your life for years.

Criminal Penalties

  • Assault causing bodily injury (first offense): Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine.
  • Second or subsequent offense: Third-degree felony, 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
  • Continuous family violence: Third-degree felony if two or more assaults occur within 12 months.
  • Strangulation or suffocation: Second-degree felony, 2 to 20 years.
  • Aggravated assault with deadly weapon: First-degree felony, 5 to 99 years or life.

Long-term Legal Consequences

  • Lifetime firearm prohibitions under federal law and certain Texas statutes
  • Impact on child custody and visitation
  • Employment or professional licensing issues
  • Immigration problems
  • Difficulty expunging convictions

Financial Consequences

  • Criminal fines up to $4,000 for misdemeanors or $10,000 for felonies
  • Restitution for medical bills, counseling, property damage, and lost income
  • Civil lawsuits seeking damages for pain and suffering or lost earnings
  • Court-ordered programs such as 18–26 week batterer intervention classes with fees
  • Lost income from jail, court appearances, or complying with protective orders

Even a single charge can affect every part of your life, making early legal guidance essential.

What Defenses Apply to Family Violence Charges in Collin County?

What Defenses Apply to Family Violence Charges in Collin County?Every domestic violence case has a unique set of facts, and a strong defense starts with examining the evidence from every angle. Common defense strategies in Collin County family violence cases include:

  • Self-defense: Texas Penal Code § 9.31 allows the use of proportionate force to protect yourself from another person’s use or attempted use of unlawful force. If you were defending yourself, the prosecution must prove that your response was not justified.
  • False accusations: Family violence charges frequently arise during heated custody disputes, divorce proceedings, or relationship conflicts. Inconsistencies in the accuser’s statements, contradictory evidence, and motive to fabricate are all factors your attorney can use.
  • Lack of intent: The prosecution must prove that you intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury. Accidental contact or minor incidents without any real injury can be challenged.
  • Insufficient evidence: Challenging police reports, 911 recordings, witness statements, and physical evidence for inconsistencies or procedural errors can weaken the State’s case.

What Should You Do After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Plano?

What Should You Do After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Plano?The hours and days immediately following an arrest are some of the most important in your case. What you do and say during this time can shape the outcome:

  • Exercise your right to remain silent: Do not speak to police or the accuser without an attorney.
  • Do not contact the accuser: Violating bond or protective orders can result in new charges.
  • Document everything: Write down events, witness names, timelines, and injuries.
  • Preserve evidence: Keep texts, voicemails, social media posts, photos, or video.
  • Contact a defense attorney immediately: Early involvement gives us time to investigate and protect your rights.
  • Comply with bond conditions: Violations can lead to bond revocation or additional charges.

Common Questions About Domestic Violence Charges in Plano

Can Charges Be Dropped If the Accuser Wants to Recant?

The prosecutor decides whether to pursue charges, not the accuser. Even if the accusing party wants to drop the case, the State can and often does proceed based on police reports, 911 recordings, and other evidence collected during the investigation.

What Is a Protective Order, and What Happens If I Violate One?

A protective order is a court order that restricts contact with the accusing party. Violating a protective order is a separate criminal offense under Texas Penal Code § 25.07. A first violation is a Class A misdemeanor, and subsequent violations are third-degree felonies.

What Is the Difference Between Assault-Family Violence and Continuous Family Violence?

Assault-family violence covers a single incident. Continuous violence against the family applies when two or more assaults against a family member occur within 12 months. Continuous family violence is charged as a third-degree felony regardless of whether the earlier incidents resulted in convictions.

Talk to a Plano Domestic Violence Attorney Today

A family violence accusation does not have to define the rest of your life. The earlier you involve a defense attorney, the more options you have. At Pelley Law Office, we are ready to listen to your side and build the strongest defense possible.

Call Pelley Law Office at (214) 560-1919 or contact us online today for a free consultation ($250 value). Let our Plano domestic violence attorney help you protect your rights, your reputation, and your future.

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