Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC | Fort Worth Assault Lawyer | Criminal Defense

As Fort Worth criminal defense lawyers, we fight to protect clients accused of committing assaultive charges in Tarrant County, Texas. If you or a loved one is facing serious assault charges, then you need an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense lawyer. You will deal directly with our team of former prosecutors who will not only treat you with respect, but also make sure we craft the best strategy and defense to fight your case.  Here are the primary assault cases our team of Fort Worth Criminal Defense Attorneys handle in Tarrant County, Texas

  1. Assault Bodily Injury
  2. Assault against a Family Member (Domestic violence)
  3. Assault against a Family Member – Impeding Breath (Choking)
  4. Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm
  5. Gun Charges (Often Related to Assault Charges)
  6. Sexual assault or Sex Crimes
  7. Injury to a Child
  8. Burglary of a Habitation
  9. Aggravated Robbery or Robbery
  10. Murder
  11. Violent Crimes
  12. 3G Offenses (These often overlap with many of the charges above)

At Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC, we have some of the top criminal defense attorneys in Fort Worth and the surrounding Tarrant County area. We take the time to listen to your needs and help you develop a professional strategy for your defense. Our goal is a dismissal, no bill, not guilty, or a reduction of your charge with a eye to the future for a chance to seal your record with an expunction or non-disclosure.  Our team has already secured two NOT GUILTY verdicts in felony jury trials this year. 

What we offer in your Tarrant County Criminal Defense:

1. EXTENSIVE TRIAL EXPERIENCE

Our firm has extensive trial experience in criminal and DWI defense. Our criminal defense attorneys and DWI lawyers have tried over 350 combined criminal trials, including assault and aggravated offenses, sex crime offenses, drug-related offenses, and over a hundred specifically involving DWI and DWI related charges.

In addition, we have reviewed and successfully negotiated thousands of criminal and DWI charges in Tarrant County, Texas. This experience gives us the knowledge to advise our clients if they are getting the best outcome possible on their charge.

2. FORMER DWI PROSECUTORS IN TARRANT, DALLAS, AND HARRIS COUNTY

Our team at Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC are all former Tarrant County prosecutors.  Being trained as a prosecutor gives us invaluable experience because we know exactly how the State of Texas will attempt to prosecute you on your criminal charges. This knowledge will allow our firm to build the best defense in fighting your criminal or DWI charge. Partner Hilary Wright is a former Chief Prosecutor in Tarrant County, Texas.

3. SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE IN CRIMINAL LAW | BOARD CERTIFIED LAWYERS

In addition to be trained as former prosecutors, our criminal defense attorneys know the inside and out of each and every aspect of a police investigation and State prosecution, including criminal laws, proper police procedures, DNA and blood forensic evidence, and knowing exactly how the State plans to introduce evidence into trial.

Partners Colin McLaughlin and Hilary Wright are both Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and all of our attorneys continuously attend criminal and DWI CLE seminars to make sure we are up to date on any change in the law.

For more serious aggravated cases, Partners Colin McLaughlin, Dustin Trammel, Hilary Wright, and Bryan Hoeller are also certified by the Courts to try cases up to capital murder charges, which requires a higher level of skills, courtroom experience, and CLE (continuing learning education).

4. HIGHLY RATED & AWARD WINNING FORT WORTH CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Our team has received over 300 5 star reviews on Google from our former clients.  In addition, our team has been recognized for their outstanding performance in criminal law.  Managing Partner Bryan Hoeller has been named a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters for 2023 and 2024.  Lindsay Truly and Dustin Trammel were also both named Super Lawyers Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters for 2022, 2023, and 2024.  In addition to being Board Certified, Partner Colin McLaughlin was named a Top Criminal Lawyer in Fort Worth by Fort Worth Magazine for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Partner Hilary Wright is President-Elect for the Texas Association of Specialty Courts.

Fighting your Assault Charge:

First Step: Getting Your Side of the Story

Your lawyer will need to know your side of the story, and we will ask many questions about what led up to the alleged incident and whether or not you believe you acted in self-defense. This will allow us to determine which aspects of the case to focus on and where your story may need bolstering because it doesn’t quite stand up under scrutiny.

Though it may seem otherwise to law enforcement and prosecutors, assault cases are not usually cut-and-dry. They’re often very nuanced, especially when alcohol is involved.

Step Two: Sorting Out the Details of What Really Happened

It’s important to understand that assault charges and your defense are not always as straightforward as you might think, so the first thing your lawyer is going to want to know is exactly what went down when the alleged incident occurred. To find out, your assault lawyer will use certain pieces of evidence, including:

  • Videos, usually taken on a phone
  • Surveillance footage from any nearby cameras
  • Statements from witnesses (i.e. friends, family, neighbors) who may have heard or saw something
  • Witness testimony

Even if there were witnesses, it’s likely that they’ll have different accounts of what happened.  This means that you need to be extremely clear about all the facts of what went on and be willing to recount them in detail repeatedly, as frustrating as this may be.

Your assault lawyer in Fort Worth may also be able to use physical evidence of any injuries to show that you acted in self-defense. If you have cuts on  your body, for example, this could be a sign that you were injured during an altercation and had to fight back. If you have bruises or scratches on your arms or hands, it could show that you were trying to push someone away.

Step Three: Fighting the Assault Charge

These types of cases are often tough to negotiate primarily because prosecutors often times believe the injured party (whom the State represents), but your Fort Worth assault lawyer can use different methods when dealing with prosecutors to fight your charge, such as:

  • Presenting evidence or statements from witnesses or the injured party contradicting or correcting the police report
  • Disputing any injury occurred or providing alternatives to injuries (past injuries, self-injuries)
  • Throwing out unreliable or illegally obtained witness testimony
  • Plea bargaining, if and when the situation calls for it

Plea bargains are very common, particularly if you have been charged with a serious crime like assault, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony. In general, a plea bargain is when you plead guilty to a lesser charge and agree to a lighter sentence than what you would have received if convicted at trial. Often times in assault charges, because the challenges presented to both parties, a plea bargain can be negotiated for a dismissal.  For example, on many occasions, we have negotiated deals for clients where if they complete a class and/or community service, the State will agree to dismiss the case.  The goal is always a dismiss or a no bill (on felonies.)

Self-Defense on Assaults and Violent Crimes | Affirmative Defense

Were you justified in your actions? Texas law allows people to defend themselves, even up to using deadly force if they feel that their life, the life of others, or their property is in danger. This is one of the most important aspects to analyze in an assaultive offense because even if you committed the conduct, if the conduct was justified, the no charges should be brought or the case should be dismissed or no billed by a Grand Jury.  To legally use deadly force, you must reasonably believe that you’re in grave danger, and you can’t use more force than is necessary. You can’t use deadly force if there’s no such threat.

First Attacker | Self-Defense Continued

As mentioned above, Texas law allows individuals to defend themselves. Even in situations where a full self-defense may fail because the person used more force than necessary, it’s still important to look at who was the first attacker.  If you were not the first attacker (i.e. the person who started the fight), than that is an important factor in determining whether the case should even be prosecuted.

Negotiating Your Case | Fort Worth Assault Lawyer

If you are innocent or wrongly accused, an attorney can fight for your freedom in court. Your lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf to can fight for a dismissal or a reduction.

An experienced lawyer can help you minimize your charges by:

  • Negotiating with the prosecutor & fighting your case in court.
  • Reviewing your case to see if you qualify for one of the Diversion Programs, like Veterans Court, or one of the Tarrant County Assault Family Violence diversion programs.
  • Applying for an expungement or sealing if your case if the dropped.

Of course, the penalties for assaultive violent crimes are severe and can include mandatory minimum sentences, which means that judges can’t go below the specified sentence regardless of the circumstances. While your lawyer may be unable to avoid all charges for your case, they can minimize the damage to your future and possibly have the charges dropped.

Get a Consultation for Your Assault Case Today

You have rights. Helping you fight back is what a good assault lawyer does. We’ll walk you through the entire process step by step and strive to protect your rights and defend you from the charges.

Don’t make a move without an experienced attorney by your side. Call Hoeller McLaughlin PLLC to speak with a Fort Worth assault lawyer now. Don’t wait another minute in this stressful situation. Reach us by phone at 817-334-7900, or fill out our online form below to get a call back.