Austin Domestic Violence Lawyer Bill White

Family violence takes many forms. It can range from verbal abuse to violence in the form of physical or sexual assault. In some cases, the victims are adults, such as the spouses or partners of the abusers. In others, children are the target of such abuses. Texas courts take family violence and child abuse cases very seriously. If you have been accused of family violence such as domestic assault or child abuse in Austin, Texas, contact Texas assault and family violence defense lawyer Bill White. Bill is an accomplished, dedicated criminal defense lawyer. He will work with you to achieve the best possible results in your family violence case.

An Austin Family Violence Attorney You Can Depend On

In most cases, domestic violence charges occur as a result of when police are called to a residence after a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, or sibling calls 911. Even if family members tell police they don't want to press charges, Prosecutor's offices have "no-drop" policies in place, which means that charges cannot be dropped. Basically, this means that when police are sent to a residence as a result of a domestic violence call, they will have to make an arrest, and the accused will spend the night in jail as well as face criminal charges.

Most cases of assault or family/domestic violence are Class A misdemeanors, punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. If the injury is serious or involves the use of a weapon, the charge may be aggravated assault. Aggravated assault is a felony subject to a state prison sentence. Repeat offenders can also be charged with a felony. Some cases involve a charge of violation of a protection order in family court.

Sometimes charges of domestic violence are used to retaliate against a spouse. These charges occur frequently in divorce cases, when they may be used by a spouse to gain leverage in a child custody or property settlement dispute.

Child Abuse Criminal Defense Lawyer

Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children. While most child abuse happens in the child's home, it can also occur at school, child care businesses, residential schools or even church.

In the United States, the Federal Government puts out a full definition of child abuse and neglect and creates a summary of each State definition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines child maltreatment as any act or series of acts or commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. Examples of acts of commission include physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Omission includes failure to provide, which can be charged as physical, emotional, medical/dental or educational neglect; omission is also failure to supervise, including inadequate supervision or exposure to violent environments.

If you have been accused child abuse in contact Austin child abuse and family violence defense attorney Bill White.

Assault and Family Violence Online Resources

• Preventing Child Abuse ' From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• City of Austin Police Department
• WomensLaw.org
• Texas Statutes and Penal Code
• Texas Council on Family Violence

Contact criminal defense attorney Bill White to discuss your case.