This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Brian LaVine following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Brian LaVine the Founding Partner, 10+ years of legal experience as criminal defense attorney.
At LaVine Law Firm, our Austin violent crime lawyer defends people facing the most aggressive prosecutorial response in the Texas court system. Violent crime charges in Austin and Travis County can lead to decades in prison, and prosecutors pursue these cases with full resources. Texas DPS data shows that Travis County processes thousands of violent crime arrests each year, with aggravated assault leading the count. A violent crime charge in Austin, Texas, can mean felony-level penalties, a permanent criminal record, loss of civil rights, and consequences that follow you for life.
Being charged is not the same as being convicted. Defenses exist, and the facts of your arrest and the incident matter. Our Austin criminal defense lawyer team has a strong track record defending clients against violent criminal charges across Travis County, Webb County, and Central Texas courts. We fight to make sure the full story reaches the courtroom, and we provide honest legal advice at every step.
We built our practice around one principle: every person accused of a violent crime deserves a strong, personal legal defense. Violent crimes rank among the most complex and high-stakes criminal cases in Texas criminal law. These cases demand a criminal defense attorney who understands both the law and the local courts. Our violent crime attorney in Austin knows the Travis County District Courts, Austin PD investigative procedures, the court personnel who manage these files, and the federal and state prosecutors who handle violent crime cases.
We handle every stage of your case. That includes the initial arrest, jail release, bond hearings, grand jury proceedings, pre-trial motions, plea bargains, trial, and sentencing. You get direct access to your criminal lawyer, proactive investigation from day one, and a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts of your situation. Our Austin defense team does not hand cases off to public defenders or junior staff. We pride ourselves on customer service that treats every client with respect, because when your future is at stake, you deserve defense attorneys who take your case as seriously as you do.
Violent crimes cover a wide range of criminal charges under Texas law. They range from a Class A misdemeanor assault to capital murder. The charge level and penalties depend on the specific conduct, intent, and any aggravating factors involved. Travis County prosecutors pursue these cases with significant resources, and guilty verdicts can reshape lives. Understanding what you face is the first step toward building a defense.
Assault and aggravated assault are the most common violent crime charges filed in Austin. The penalties depend on the circumstances, the victim, and whether a weapon was involved. These charges move through the legal system fast, and prosecutors push for harsh outcomes.
Texas Penal Code § 22.01 defines simple assault. It is charged as a Class A misdemeanor in most cases. The charge rises to a third-degree felony when the victim is a public servant, a family member with a prior conviction, or a member of other protected categories. Aggravated assault under Texas Penal Code § 22.02 is a second-degree felony when it involves serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon. It becomes a first-degree felony when the victim is a public servant, a domestic partner, or a witness. Any object used as a deadly weapon elevates the criminal offense.
Domestic/family violence assault adds another layer. A family violence finding triggers no-contact orders, firearms restrictions, and lasting consequences in family court. Law enforcement in Austin, Texas, follows mandatory arrest policies in domestic violence cases, which means officers make an arrest when probable cause exists. Aggravated assault in Texas is one of the most charged violent felonies in Travis County courts, and strong legal representation makes the difference between a conviction and a defense that works.
Robbery and weapons offenses form a distinct and serious violent crime category under Texas law. Prosecutors treat these cases with urgency, and plea offers in Travis County are often limited for such crimes.
Key charges include:
Robbery and aggravated robbery carry severe sentencing expectations. LaVine Law Firm evaluates the full circumstances of every case, including whether force was used in self-defense and whether identity or intent can be challenged. A thorough criminal investigation often reveals facts the prosecution overlooked.
Homicide charges represent the most serious tier of violent crime in Texas. These cases carry the heaviest penalties in the criminal justice system, and Travis County prosecutors devote significant resources to securing convictions. No one should face these charges without experienced legal representation.
The key charges include:
Defenses such as self-defense, sudden passion, and insufficient intent can apply at various homicide charge levels. LaVine Law Firm brings a thorough, evidence-driven approach to high-stakes homicide defense in Travis County. We examine every detail because the margin for error in these cases is zero.
Winning a violent crime case, or reaching the best possible outcome, requires a defense built on independent investigation, constitutional analysis, and an honest assessment of the trial vs. negotiation path. We begin building your defense strategy from the moment you call. Our criminal defense lawyers do not wait for the prosecution to set the pace of your case.
Texas law provides strong self-defense protections. Many violent crime charges in Austin stem from situations where the defendant had a legal right to use force. We investigate every case for self-defense applicability because this defense can result in a full dismissal or acquittal.
The key self-defense provisions under Texas law include:
Self-defense claims require careful evidence gathering. LaVine Law Firm investigates injury patterns, witness accounts, surveillance footage, and the full timeline of events. We build these cases with the detail needed to win your case at trial or during negotiation.
Violent crime convictions rest on physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, or both. Both are open to challenge. A strong defense targets the weak points in the prosecution's case and forces the state to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Physical evidence challenges include:
Eyewitness credibility challenges include:
The Innocence Project's research on eyewitness misidentification confirms that flawed eyewitness identification is among the leading causes of wrongful convictions in the United States. LaVine Law Firm works with qualified investigators and expert witnesses when the facts demand it. We build the strongest possible case before trial or negotiation, and we never accept the prosecution's version of events without testing every claim.
A violent crime conviction reaches far beyond the prison sentence. The real-world consequences affect every part of your life for years or decades. Understanding these stakes makes the decision to hire experienced defense attorneys a critical one, not an optional step.
The consequences include:
These stakes make retaining experienced legal representation a decision that can change the course of your life. LaVine Law Firm stands ready to fight against any federal and state prosecutor who brings charges against you.
Texas violent crimes include assault, aggravated assault, robbery, aggravated robbery, murder, manslaughter, and sexual assault. Criminal charges range from misdemeanors to capital felonies, depending on the circumstances.
Yes. Texas law provides strong self-defense protections, including the stand-your-ground and castle doctrine. A criminal defense attorney must gather evidence to support the claim. Learn more about using self-defense if you started the fight or self-defense when defending someone else.
Assault involves intentional bodily injury or threats. Aggravated assault involves serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon. The latter is a felony under the Texas Penal Code, with heavier penalties.
Misdemeanor assault cases may resolve in months. Felony violent crime cases in Travis County can take one to two years or more, depending on complexity and court procedures.
Yes. Through evidence suppression, self-defense claims, credibility challenges, or plea bargains, charges can be reduced. Learn more about how charges can be dropped after an arrest in Texas. Outcomes depend on the facts and the quality of your legal defense.
Yes. A felony violent crime conviction results in a permanent federal firearms ban. Even some misdemeanor family violence convictions trigger this restriction under federal law.
Violent crime charges in Austin move fast, and so does the prosecution. LaVine Law Firm is ready to step in and start building your defense right away. We bring aggressive, fact-driven violent crime defense to every client across Austin, Travis County, and surrounding Central Texas communities.
Contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation. We respond fast, maintain strict confidentiality, and place no obligation on you to retain our firm. We also handle related matters including sexual assault charges, Title IX violations, online solicitation, drug offenses, drug possession and distribution, DWI cases, DUI/DUI charges, domestic/family violence, theft charges, money laundering, open container violations, possession of marijuana, probation revocation, license reinstatement, warrant services, inmate search, bail bonds, and felony cases in both Texas state court and federal court. Visit lavinelawfirm.com or call now for your free consultation. Your future is worth defending, and our criminal defense team is ready to win your case.
Free confidential consultations
Aggressive representation
Affordable payment plans
Highly rated
Track record of results
