Punishments for Assaulting a Public Servant
Public servants run the government and create and enforce our laws. Understandably, some people can get frustrated with certain public servants. When a person decides to lash out against the public servant, though, he or she may face severe criminal punishment.
Punishment for assaulting a public servant may depend on a variety of factors, including how much harm the public servant suffered and whether the attacked used weapons to assault the public servant.
Who Is A Public Servant?
The term public servant may refer to a number of individuals with various titles. In general, a public servant is any individual who works for any government agency except for the military. Among these individuals are:
- The President
- Senators
- Governors
- Police officers
Public servants may also refer to individuals who work for the FBI, CIA, IRS, or any other part of the government. Typically, public servants with greater amounts of power are targeted for assault.
Assault on a Public Servant
Assault is generally defined as the threat of violence against another individual. Simple assault, which is the threat of violence without the use of a weapon, is considered a misdemeanor. When the assault is on a public servant though, then the crime is automatically considered a third-degree felony.
Sentencing for a third-degree felony may include:
- Up to 10 years in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Up to 10 years probation
This is the minimum punishment an individual may receive for assaulting a public servant. If the public servant suffered harm as a result of the assault or if the attacker used a deadly weapon, then he or she may be charged with a first-degree felony, which may lead to:
- Up to life in prison
- Up to $10,000 in fines
If a public servant passes away after sustaining injuries in an attack, then the attacker may face the death penalty in Texas.
Contact Us
Assault on a public servant is a serious offense, but with proper legal defense, it may be possible to lessen or even dismiss your charges. To discuss your case, contact the Dallas criminal defense lawyers of the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter at (214) 845-7007 today.
