Laredo Criminal Defense Lawyer Handling Domestic Violence Cases
Family Violence Defense | Laredo, Texas
Accused of Family Violence? Call Joey First.
A family-violence arrest can immediately affect where you live, whether you may contact your spouse or children, your firearm rights, your employment, and your future. Former Chief Prosecutor Joey Tellez provides direct defense for people facing assault-family-violence allegations in Laredo and Webb County.
Domestic disputes are often emotional and chaotic. The first call to police may not include the full history, every witness, or what happened before the officers arrived.
Immediate Consequences
The Case Can Affect Your Life Before You Ever Reach Trial.
After an arrest, the court may impose bond conditions or an emergency protective order that limits contact, restricts access to a home, or affects possession of firearms.
Understanding those restrictions—and avoiding a new allegation based on a violation—is one of the first priorities in the case.
Understanding the Allegation
What Texas Calls Family Violence
Texas law uses the term “family violence” for certain acts or threats involving family members, household members, or people in a dating relationship. The criminal charge and possible punishment depend on the alleged conduct, injury, history, and other facts.
Assault Causing Bodily Injury
A first allegation of bodily-injury assault against a qualifying family, household, or dating partner is often charged as a Class A misdemeanor, subject to the facts and any enhancement provisions.
Impeding Breathing or Circulation
An allegation involving pressure to the throat or neck, or blocking the nose or mouth, may expose a person to felony-level prosecution.
Prior Family-Violence History
Certain prior convictions or qualifying dispositions may increase the level of a later assault charge.
Continuous Violence Allegations
Texas law creates a separate felony offense when the State alleges two or more qualifying family-violence assaults within a 12-month period.
Defense Issues
Questions That May Shape a Family-Violence Defense
Self-Defense
Was the accused responding to another person's use or attempted use of unlawful force?
Defense of Another
Was the accused acting to protect a child, relative, or another person from an immediate threat?
Conflicting Accounts
Do the 911 call, body-camera video, witness statements, and later accounts contradict one another?
Accident or Lack of Intent
Did the contact occur accidentally or under circumstances that do not establish the required mental state?
Disputed Injury
Do the photographs, medical records, and physical evidence support the injury being alleged?
Credibility and Context
Are there messages, prior statements, witnesses, or other facts that provide important context?
Building the Record
Evidence That Can Matter
Former Chief Prosecutor
Why Choose Joey Tellez?
Joey's background as a former Chief Prosecutor gives him insight into how family-violence cases are evaluated, charged, and presented.
He reviews the evidence, identifies the disputed issues, and explains the protective-order, bond, and court process in direct language.
Clients work directly with Joey and receive clear answers about the risks, options, and decisions ahead.
What Happens Next
The Family-Violence Case Process
01
Arrest, Bond, and Restrictions
Immediate issues may include release conditions, no-contact terms, firearm restrictions, and emergency protective orders.
02
Evidence Collection
The defense seeks reports, video, audio, photographs, messages, witness information, and other relevant records.
03
Charge Review
The accusation, relationship, injury, prior history, and any enhancement allegations are reviewed carefully.
04
Motions and Negotiations
The defense evaluates evidentiary issues, legal challenges, negotiations, and possible resolutions.
05
Resolution or Trial
The next step depends on the evidence, available defenses, negotiations, and the client's informed decisions.
Common Questions
Family Violence Defense FAQs
Can the case continue if the other person does not want to press charges?
Yes. The State—not the complaining witness—decides whether to continue a criminal case. A witness's position may still affect the evidence and how the case is evaluated.
Can I go home after a family-violence arrest?
That depends on the bond conditions and whether an emergency protective order or another court order restricts contact or access to the residence. The written order should be reviewed before any contact occurs.
Can I be charged with a felony?
Yes. Certain prior history, allegations of impeding breathing or circulation, continuous-violence allegations, and other circumstances can result in felony prosecution.
Can a family-violence conviction affect firearm rights?
A qualifying conviction or court order may restrict firearm possession under state or federal law. The exact consequence depends on the charge, disposition, and order involved.
Can a family-violence charge be dismissed or reduced?
That may be possible in some cases, but no result can be promised. The answer depends on the evidence, witnesses, injuries, history, defenses, and whether the State can prove every required element.
Talk to Tellez Law
Facing a Family-Violence Charge? Call Joey First.
Speak directly with Joey Tellez about the accusation, bond conditions, protective orders, evidence, and decisions ahead.
Call (956) 717-8200 Request a Confidential Consultation
This page provides general information and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts and circumstances.