Plano Family Violence Lawyer

A Dallas & Collin County Trial Attorney Who Is Willing to Fight

Family violence offenses are serious crimes in Texas. The penalties can range from jail time to fines, and a conviction on your record could leave a long-lasting impact, such as a relinquishing of your firearm rights and a hit to your credibility as a parent in future child custody proceedings. If you have been accused of a family violence crime in Plano, do not hesitate to contact Lanzillo Law, PLLC for legal support. The firm is dedicated exclusively to defending the accused, and Attorney Johnny Lanzillo has extensive trial experience as a defense attorney. He is a passionate trial lawyer who is willing to put up a tough fight in court and will do his best to secure a favorable result for you.

Schedule a free consultation with Lanzillo Law, PLLC for more information.

What Constitutes Family Violence?

Texas law defines family violence as acts that threaten or result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault, or sexual assault against a family or household member, including the following:

• A current or former spouse
• A co-parent
• A foster child and parent
• Any relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption
• A current or former co-resident
• A current or former dating or romantic partner

Child abuse involving a family or household member or dating violence also qualifies as family violence under the Texas statute.

There are several crimes associated with family violence, some of which are: 

• Domestic assault
• Aggravated domestic assault
• Stalking
• Kidnapping
• Unlawful restraint
• Homicide
• Continuous violence against the family
• Violation of protective orders

The crime of continuous violence against family is when a person commits two or more domestic assaults within 12 months, even if the domestic assaults did not result in arrests or convictions or were committed against different individuals. Continuous violence against the family is a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Violating a Family Violence Protection Order

One common crime associated with family violence is the violation of a protection order. This can occur in a number of ways, such as by contacting the subject of the order despite the order prohibiting close contact. Typically, a violation of a protection order is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and $4,000 in fines.

If the defendant has two or more convictions for violating a family protective order, however, or if they violated the order by committing assault or stalking, they may instead face a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Repeated violations of a protection order within 12 months, regardless of whether the offenses resulted in conviction, also constitute a third-degree felony.

Family violence charges are serious matters. If you have been accused of committing family violence in Texas, do not hesitate to contact an experienced trial lawyer immediately for your defense options. Attorney Johnny Lanzillo has only ever worked as a defense attorney throughout his professional career, so you can trust that he personally believes in the side of the defendant and will put up a passionate fight for your case.

Contact Lanzillo Law, PLLC for a free consultation to discuss your family violence case in more detail.