‘Assault’ can be defined as ” an intentional criminal act by one person that creates apprehension in another of an imminent harm or offensive contact’‘. The actual act of assault may not simply be words but must be in some form of an overt act. it is a threat of bodily harm connected to the apparent ability to actually inflict said harm.
In Texas or Harris County Texas, intentionally or knowingly causing bodily harm to someone else is assault. So is knowlingly and intentionally threatening to inflict bodily harm. In real terms this means that if you threaten to harm another individual you may be arrested for assault. Finally, and this is a little more complicated, it is considered assault if you intentionally or knowingly cause physical contact with another person who will regard this contact as offensive or provocative. If that happens, you could be charged with a criminal offense.
The expansive categories of assault in Texas include sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault -murder, retaliation and assault charges related to public servants.
Intent is a necessary component to an assault charge of any type. Either an assailant is deliberately creating apprehension of assault or his or her actions result in a causing a victim to be apprehensive.
The degrees of assault include misdemeanor assault or felony assault. Generally, simple assault that causes minor injuries is considered a misdemeanor in Houston Texas. However there are extenuating circumstances that may cause the charges to be bumped up to felony status.
The best suggestion to avoid fines and penalties is to try to work out your differences before it reaches assault status. David Breston is a Houston criminal defense attorney who practices in the area of assault and domestic violence. If you are charged with assault in Houston, call Houston defense lawyer David Breston at 713 224 4040.
