Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 8: Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs)

December 19, 2020

By Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

An unpleasant surprise many men and women get when they are released from jail after an assault/ family violence arrest is an order forbidding them from returning home and/or even talking with their spouse or children.

These orders can cause daunting collateral consequences.  They are financially punishing because it often requires one person stay in a hotel during the duration and they are emotionally taxing because one parent may need support in caring for children and assistance with the household.  Sometimes protective orders have the opposite of their intended effect and inject more stress into a relationship instead of relieving it.

The court order can either be an Emergency Protective Order or it can be a term and condition of bond.  In any event, violating them can and often does land the person back in jail.  Violating a protective order is a criminal offense in itself and is usually harder to win in court than the underlying assault case.

Protective orders and emergency protective orders is an extensive topic in and of itself.  Today in my continuing series of blogs on defending domestic violence cases I’ll be hitting the main highlights.

Emergency Protective Orders

Most emergency orders are sought and applied for by officers in an Ex Parte manner – that is it’s the officer alone asking the judge who is typically also setting bond.  It could be because of department policy or the officer thought the situation merited the couple having a “cooling off” period.  EPOs are mandatory for arrests with charges of serious bodily injury or deadly weapons.

On an administrative note – the EPO does not apply to the person’s attorney who can communicate with a complaint witness.

The governing statute for protective orders is Article 17.292 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

It is often the case the complaining witness doesn’t want the EPO either.  In this regard the law can be somewhat patronizing.  The complaining witness’ assent is not mandatory.

One of the most embarrassing and humiliating aspects of an EPO is the Court is required to give notice by law to a school of a child of the couple.

Modifying Protective Orders

The legislature requires a hearing for modification of an EPO under 17.292(j).  All affected parties are required to have notice.  Most hearings are somewhat informal.

My experience on modifying protective orders is unless both the accuser and the accused agree – the magistrate won’t modify the order.  Most magistrates also drag their feet because they want a cooling down period between the couple… so even though a person might apply for a modification in the day or two following the arrest – you usually won’t get a hearing for 2 weeks.

Can Protective Orders become Permanent or be Extended?

Yes.  An Ex Parte Emergency Protective Order can be issued for a maximum of 91 days.

In those instances where a prosecutor or complaining witness want to seek a more extended one – the prosecutor can file suit on behalf of the complaining witness and apply for a permanent or extended protective order.

These proceedings are legally more formal and the consequences can be more dire.  If a court makes a finding of domestic violence it can follow the accused forever.

Conditions of Bond Keeping Defendant Away

I mentioned earlier another legal tool keeping someone a certain minimum distance from the complaining witness or preventing communication can be a term and condition of bond.

That means it’s one of the ground-rules laid out by the judge as a condition of release from jail.  Violating a condition of bond means potential re-arrest.  Domestic violence bond violations are the only misdemeanor charge where a judge can hold a person without bond.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He is designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

 

Comments Off on Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 8: Emergency Protective Orders (EPOs) | Assault, Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Record, crimes against children, Deadly Conduct, Divorce related crimes, Domestic Violence, Emergency Protective Orders, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by niftybrady

Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 7: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

December 18, 2020

By Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

jeremy@texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

Most aggravated assaults with a deadly weapon are where someone threatens a person with something like a knife, gun or some other object.  We see domestic cases frequently where the police arrest a spouse or partner who grabbed something like a scissors or a kitchen knife during a heated argument and was alleged to threaten the other.

Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon is a charge which leaves a mental impression by its name that doesn’t always match reality.  For that reason, I’ve worked with lots of folks who were stunned to have been charged with it.  It goes without saying aggravated assault with a deadly weapon cases can also be far more serious than simply one spouse being momentarily threatened by an object.

Like choking, it is an assaultive offense which is based on it’s conduct as much or more than the result – which is why I wanted to talk about it separately in my continuing series of blogs about defending domestic violence.  Most assault offenses are strictly result-based.

The Law on Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon

This charge is committed where someone uses or exhibits a “deadly weapon” during the commission of an assault.  A “deadly weapon” under Texas law is any item for which the use or intended use could cause serious bodily injury or death.

Remember, an “assault” can be a situation where there is physical contact – or where there is an imminent threat.  So a situation where a knife, gun, scissors, an ash tray, a picture frame, a vase, or anything else are used to threaten another person – it could be construed as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Another area of confusion on these cases is whether the deadly weapon is used “during the commission” of an assault.  Let’s say someone has a weapon at one point during the incident but the assault occurs at a different point.  For instance, a couple is arguing and one has a weapon in their waistband.  The weapon is never displayed.  Moments later that partner hits the other one with their hand.  Many prosecutors would argue the weapon was used “during the commission” of the assault hence aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a 2nd degree felony and punishable between 2 and 20 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Folks who do plead guilty or are convicted o aggravated assault with a deadly weapon can still be given deferred adjudication or probation.  The charge, however, does limit eligibility and defendants who go to trial must have a jury approve probation – and the accused cannot have been convicted of a felony in this state or any other state.

Good News/ Bad News with Agg. Assault w/ Deadly Weapon

The good news with these types of charges is it can be easy to carve out lesser-included offenses.  That means at trial a jury frequently has the opportunity to acquit someone of the higher offense and potentially convict of a misdemeanor assault instead.

The flip side of the coin — the bad news — is for the same reason aggravated assault with a deadly weapon give the prosecution lots of plea bargaining leverage.  They can take a weak aggravated assault with a deadly weapon case and make into a strong misdemeanor or lower felony charge.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of legal specialization.  He is recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

Comments Off on Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 7: Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon | Assault, Deadly Conduct, Divorce related crimes, Domestic Violence, Emergency Protective Orders, Self Defense | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by niftybrady

Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 5:  Affirmative Findings of Family Violence

December 16, 2020

By Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

www.texasdefensefirm.com

A major component of what makes domestic or family violence severe criminal charges in Texas are affirmative findings of family violence.  An affirmative finding of family violence (AFFV) is a declaration sought by the prosecution and made by a judge which triggers additional collateral consequences above and beyond a regular assault case.

An AFFV can be made by the Court whether the case was a guilty plea, no contest plea, or whether the accused was found guilty.  They can even apply to fine-only misdemeanor class c charges.

For more reading on other aspects of domestic violence charges you can go here.

Consequences of an Affirmative Finding of Family Violence

Enhancement

A second arrest for domestic violence charges can be elevated from a class a misdemeanor (Up to a year of county jail and up to a $4k fine) to a Third Degree Felony (2 – 10 years in the Texas Department of Corrections and up to $10k fine).

The family member doesn’t have to be the same person.  In fact, a common scenario I see is someone who at times decades before had plead guilty to what they thought was a traffic level offense of getting into a fight with a parent, sibling or spouse to pay the fine and move on.  Then upon the subsequent arrest – they are hammered with a felony charge.

Inability to Non-Disclose Criminal Charges

The affirmative finding bars non-disclosure or hiding the case from the public once the case is over.  Not only this, but a popular argument I’ve seen prosecutors make is they believe the Texas Legislature intended to create a specific class of offender with the AFFV who is not eligible for non-disclosure in any cases at all that person may have been arrested for.

Here’s an example:  A person pleads guilty to domestic violence and gets deferred in the year 2010.  In 2020 they are arrested and plead guilty for DWI and otherwise qualify for non-disclosing the DWI to hide that arrest from public view.  The prosecution can argue (with varying degrees of success) the person isn’t eligible to non-disclose the DWI because of the DV plea from 2010.

Firearm Ownership

Both Texas and Federal law can restrict your rights to firearm possession and ownership.  Federal law prohibits those convicted of domestic violence from possession.  Texas – and perhaps other states – restrict rights for possession for special permitting to carry firearms.

Divorce, Custody and Adoption Issues

A person with an affirmative finding of family violence cannot be named a managing conservator of a child or a joint managing conservator of a child.  It goes without saying this can be the most devastating consequence of them all because it could mean losing your children in a divorce proceeding.

The Shattered Glass Effect – Indirect and Collateral Consequences 

I’ll go geek lawyer for a second — criminal charges have what we call “direct” consequences and “collateral consequences.”  An example of a direct consequence of an affirmative finding of family violence would be a subsequent charge can be enhanced.  It’s predictable and fairly certain to happen upon a 2nd arrest.

But what about getting fired from a job 8 years later?  Can the legislature change the law for the worse 15 years from now and will it affect someone?  How others view criminal charges over time is thoroughly unpredictable.  We just know it can be bad.

I call remote collateral consequences the “shattered glass” effect.  We simply can’t predict them.  Affirmative findings have far reaching consequences which we just can’t calculate.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He is designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

 

Comments Off on Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 5:  Affirmative Findings of Family Violence | Assault, Collateral Consequences of a Criminal Record, Deadly Conduct, Divorce related crimes, Domestic Violence, Uncategorized, Weapons | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by niftybrady

Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 4:  Different Charges and Punishment Levels

December 15, 2020

By Texas criminal defense lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

(972) 369-0577

www.texasdefensefirm.com

I’m dedicating the next few weeks to blogging about defending domestic and family violence charges.  In those blogs I’m discussing here and there the different charge and punishment levels of different assault cases but it’s not particularly reader friendly.  Taking inventory of the different levels of punishment can be confusing so I thought I’d dedicate a blog to giving folks a straightforward index to the most common assault and domestic violence arrest scenarios.

So here it is.

Assault by offensive or provocative contact:

  • Class c misdemeanor (fine only);
  • Prosecuted in city court or in a Justice of the Peace Court;
  • Can be prosecuted by municipal prosecutor (city court) or district attorney’s office (JP Court);
  • Can still be subject to an affirmative finding of family violence.

Assault by threat:

  • Class c misdemeanor (fine only);
  • Prosecuted in city court or in a Justice of the Peace Court;
  • Can be prosecuted by municipal prosecutor (city court) or district attorney’s office (JP Court);
  • Can still be subject to an affirmative finding of family violence;
    • Occurs where someone threatens another with imminent serious bodily injury or death;
  • Can be subject to an affirmative finding of family violence;

Assault causing Bodily Injury:

  • Class a misdemeanor (up to 1 year of jail, fine not to exceed $4k);
  • 3rd degree felony with prior affirmative finding of family violence (2-10 years TDC & fine not to exceed $10k);
  • Prosecuted by District Attorney’s Office;
  • Jurisdiction in County Court at Law if charged as a misdemeanor;
  • Jurisdiction in District Court if charged as a felony;
  • Occurs where there is assault causing bodily injury;
    • “Bodily injury” is physical pain, impairment of physical condition or illness
  • Subject to affirmative finding of family violence.

Violation of a Protective Order

  • Class a misdemeanor (up to 1 year of jail, fine not to exceed $4k);
  • Prosecuted by District Attorney’s Office;
  • Jurisdiction in County Court at Law;
    • Occurs where a person violates an Emergency Protective Order
  • Penalties can be more severe if more frequent violations/ and or violence occurred during the violation.

Assault by Choking (impeding the airway, normal breathing or blood circulation in the neck);

  • 3rd Degree Felony (2-10 years TDC & fine not to exceed $10k);
  • Prosecuted by District Attorney’s Office;
  • Jurisdiction in District Court;
    • Occurs where a person impedes the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of the person by applying pressure to the person’s throat or neck or by blocking the person’s nose or mouth;
  • Subject to affirmative finding of family violence;

Continuous Violence Against a Family Member;

  • 3rd Degree Felony (2-10 years TDC & fine not to exceed $10k)
  • Prosecuted by District Attorney’s Office;
  • Jurisdiction in District Court;
    • Occurs where a person commits two or more acts of assault causing bodily injury against a family member in a 12-month period;
  • Subject to an affirmative finding of family violence.

Aggravated Assault (Serious Bodily Injury)

  • 2nd Degree Felony (2-20 years TDC & fine not to exceed $10k);
  • Prosecuted by District Attorney’s Office;
  • Jurisdiction in District Court;
    • Occurs where a person causes serious bodily injury injury (SBI)
    • SBI is injury with a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of bodily member or organ
  • Subject to affirmative finding of family violence;

Aggravated Assault (Use or Exhibit of a Deadly Weapon)

  • 2nd Degree Felony (2-20 years TDC & fine not to exceed $10k);
  • 1st Degree Felony (5-99 years or life & fine not to exceed $10k) if deadly weapon used in conjunction with serious bodily injury of a family member;
  • Prosecuted by District Attorney’s Office;
  • Jurisdiction in District Court;
    • Occurs where a person ‘uses or exhibits’ a deadly weapon in the commission of an assault
    • The assault is often assault by threat when a weapon is used to threaten
  • Subject to affirmative finding of family violence;
  • More legally complicated to qualify for probation or deferred adjudication;
  • Not eligible for parole unless 50% or more of the sentence is fulfilled.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.  He is designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

Comments Off on Domestic Violence Charges – Blog 4:  Different Charges and Punishment Levels | Assault, Divorce related crimes, Domestic Violence, Self Defense, Weapons | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by niftybrady

Can I Sue the Police After an Arrest?

December 10, 2020

By Collin County Criminal Defense Lawyer Jeremy Rosenthal

www.texasdefensefirm.com

(972) 369-0577

I’ll do my best to stay in my lane.  I defend people charged with crime and I don’t sue police but I get this question a lot so I’ll do my best to answer.

I often refer cases where folks are interested in taking legal action out to lawyers who focus more in that area.  But if I don’t think you’ve got much of a case — I can still probably diagnose it and let you know if it’s good time and energy spent on a bad task.

What I can also say is this – if you’re charged with a crime the first priority is always to defeat those charges.  I liken it to playing defense before playing offense.  Pleading guilty or losing a case where you’re trying to sue the police is a great way to spoil that case.

Immunity From Suit

Police, prosecutors and judges have wide-ranging immunity from civil liability and for good reason.  We want them to be able to do their jobs and not constantly worry about getting sued nor put their own personal assets on the line for just doing their job.

There are some limited situations where they are individually liable.  The main one is under 42 U.S.C. 1983.

42 U.S.C. 1983

This federal statute says the following:

Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, except that in any action brought against a judicial officer for an act or omission taken in such officer’s judicial capacity, injunctive relief shall not be granted unless a declaratory decree was violated or declaratory relief was unavailable. For the purposes of this section, any Act of Congressapplicable exclusively to the District of Columbia shall be considered to be a statute of the District of Columbia.

In English – if a government worker as part of their job intentionally deprives someone of a constitutional right or liberty then they can be sued in federal court.  There are law review articles on this statute and it’s the subject of entire law school classes – so I don’t pretend for a moment this blog covers it all.

In short – 1983 claims are typically brought for police brutality and prison litigation but it isn’t exclusively reserved for that.  The standard is pretty difficult because negligence generally isn’t enough to trigger liability.

*Jeremy Rosenthal is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is designated as a Texas Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters.

 

 

 

Comments Off on Can I Sue the Police After an Arrest? | Assault, Civil Liberties, Federal Court, Police, Police and Prosecutors, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by niftybrady

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »