Domestic Violence

Georgetown Domestic Violence Lawyers

Defense Attorneys for Family Violence Charges

Domestic violence, or family violence in Texas, is a broad term encompassing a range of offenses involving violence or threats against family and household members. These violent crimes can have severe consequences, impacting the victims and those accused.

If you have been accused of, arrested for, or charged with any type of Texas domestic violence offense, your first order of business should be to enlist the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. At Winters & Chidester, you can turn to a team of former prosecutors who both worked in the Family Violence Division of a Texas prosecutor's office, at the misdemeanor and felony level. Our attorneys prosecuted domestic violence cases ranging from aggravated assault to aggravated kidnapping, manslaughter, impeding breath by strangulation, interfering with 911 calls, and more. This extensive experience can be crucial in anticipating the prosecutors’ tactics in your case and in creating effective strategies for your defense.

Because we have handled these cases from the prosecution side in Williamson County and surrounding Central Texas courts, we understand how judges, probation departments, and local agencies often respond to family violence allegations. We use that insight to evaluate the strength of the evidence against you, identify weaknesses in the investigation, and advise you about realistic options so you can make informed decisions about your future.

Request a confidential consultation with a Georgetown domestic violence attorney at our firm. Call (512) 961-4555 or use our convenient online contact form. Hablamos español.

Domestic Violence Cases in Williamson County, TX

Domestic violence is an inclusive term that can encompass several different offenses. Generally, domestic violence refers to violence between family or household members. This can include spouses, ex-spouses, children, parents, siblings, or current or former roommates.

It can also include lovers or people who are dating. Domestic violence is known as “family violence” under Texas law. Crimes committed in the context of domestic violence are generally punished more severely than identical crimes committed against individuals who are not family, household members, or other present or former intimate partners.

In Williamson County, domestic violence allegations are typically handled in the county courts or district courts in Georgetown, and your case may involve multiple settings, pretrial conferences, and hearings on protective orders. We guide you through each stage, explain what to expect when you appear at the Williamson County Justice Center, and help you avoid missteps that could affect your bond conditions, employment, or ability to return home while the case is pending.

Crimes Encompassed by Domestic Violence Law in Texas

Common crimes under the term “domestic violence” can include:

Stalking: This involves continuous threatening conduct and unwanted attention by an individual or group towards another person, causing fear or concern.
Assault (including by strangulation): Assault is any intentional act that causes physical harm, fear of injury, or offensive contact. Strangulation is a form of assault that involves choking or suffocating the victim.
Aggravated assault: This involves causing serious harm or using a deadly weapon.
Harassment: Persistent behavior against the victim that causes distress.
Sexual assault: This crime involves forced sexual activity without the consent of the victim.
Homicide: This is the act of unlawfully killing another person.
Continuous violence against the family: This offense involves repeated violent acts against a current or ex-intimate partner, family, or household member. It is considered a third-degree felony.
Violation of a protective order: This consists of non-compliance with the court’s restrictions on the alleged abuser to protect a victim or their family.

Penalties for Domestic Violence Crimes

The penalties for domestic violence can be severe, including fines and jail time. The penalties are increased if the alleged victim was a family member, and the penalties are increased if the defendant has prior convictions for domestic violence.

These crimes can range from a Class C misdemeanor with a fine of up to $500 to a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000. An example of a Class C misdemeanor is offensive touching, while an example of a Class A misdemeanor occurs when causing the victim bodily injury.

Domestic violence crimes can also be charged as felonies. If it is a repeat offense, it can be prosecuted as a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Causing serious bodily injury or using a deadly weapon in a domestic violence crime can be prosecuted as a first-degree felony punishable by five years up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In addition to jail or prison time and fines, a conviction can carry long-term consequences such as loss of firearm rights, immigration complications, and limits on certain professional licenses. We walk you through how a plea, conviction, or dismissal could affect your background checks and future opportunities so you can weigh any offer from the prosecution with a clear understanding of the risks and benefits.

Impact of Protective Orders

A protective order is a legal injunction that requires the alleged abuser to stay away from the victim, their home, workplace, and/or school. Violating a protective order can result in criminal charges, including jail time and fines. Beyond the legal implications, protective orders can also impact your personal life, affecting your reputation, employment opportunities, and even child custody arrangements.

In many family violence cases in Georgetown, the court may issue an emergency protective order shortly after an arrest, sometimes without your input. We help you understand the specific terms imposed by the Williamson County court, advise you on lawful ways to maintain contact with children or retrieve belongings, and work to modify or challenge conditions that are unworkable or unfair while still complying with all court requirements.

What To Expect After a Domestic Violence Arrest

After a domestic violence arrest in Georgetown, you will usually be taken to the Williamson County Jail, see a magistrate for bond conditions, and then be given a court date in either a county court at law or district court. Bond conditions often include no-contact provisions, orders to stay away from certain addresses, and requirements to surrender firearms, all of which can disrupt your daily life. Understanding this process early allows you to plan for housing, childcare, and work so you do not unintentionally violate a court order while trying to manage your responsibilities.

Once your case is filed, there may be several settings before any trial date, and prosecutors will be reviewing police reports, body camera footage, 911 recordings, and witness statements. As your domestic violence lawyer Georgetown, we request and analyze this evidence, discuss it with you in detail, and look for inconsistencies or gaps that can support motions to suppress or weaken the state’s case. We also talk with you about potential treatment or counseling options, where appropriate, that can sometimes improve how the court views your situation without admitting guilt or giving up your rights.

For experienced defense counsel against these serious charges, contact a Georgetown domestic violence lawyer at Winters & Chidester. Call (512) 961-4555!

How Winters & Chidester Can Help in Georgetown

The attorneys at Winters & Chidester are uniquely positioned to assist those facing domestic violence charges as former Travis County prosecutors who worked in the Family Violence Divisions of the County Attorney and District Attorney's Office. This includes several years as the chief prosecutor in the specialized family violence court.

This experience provides our team with a deep understanding of how prosecutors approach these cases and the strategies they employ. It allows us to anticipate the prosecution's tactics and build an effective defense strategy. Facing domestic violence charges is stressful and overwhelming. But with experienced attorneys like our firm, you can be confident that your case is in capable hands.

When you meet with us for a free consultation, we take time to hear your side of the story, review any police reports or protective orders, and discuss what has already happened in court. We then outline the likely path of your case in Georgetown, including possible diversion programs, counseling requirements, or trial settings, so you know what to expect and how we will work together at each step.

We also explain realistic defense options that may be available in your situation, such as challenging the legality of an arrest, questioning the reliability of witness statements, or presenting evidence that law enforcement overlooked in its rush to make a family violence arrest. By clearly describing these options in plain language, we help you participate actively in your defense rather than feeling like a bystander to the process.

Contact our team for legal help at (512) 961-4555 today.

Real People. Real Wins.

Review Some of Our Results to See for Yourself What We’ve Worked to Achieve

As Georgetown criminal attorneys, we recognize the importance of what we do. Our goal is to help our clients face brighter futures, all while protecting their constitutional rights to the fullest. We couldn't be more proud of the people we've helped and the lives we've changed.

View All Results

Case dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a woman accused of assault family violence after she called the police because she was being assaulted. We got the case dismissed on her behalf.
Case dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a young man charged with assault family violence. By acting swiftly and conducting our own investigation, we achieved a dismissal of his case in under six months.
Case Dismissed Juvenile charged
Charges dropped Sex Offense Investigation
We represented a client who was under investigation for a sexual offense. Upon advising them and handling communication with law enforcement, we were able to ensure that no charges were pursued.
Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a client charged with assault family violence. By acting early and securing helpful testimony from the alleged victim at a protective order hearing, we persuaded the prosecution to reject the case.