In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to hold back your emotions. At times, a situation can become so overwhelming that the “fight or flight” response automatically kicks in before the brain has a chance to process all the information. In that moment of conflict, “fight” can win out, and then suddenly, you may find that you have to defend yourself against assault charges.
Conflicts can happen to anyone. However, if you suddenly find yourself in a heated situation, be aware that more than your reputation could be at stake. Lashing out with physical violence rarely solves the problem and could land you in serious jeopardy with the law.
At the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter, we want to help you find solutions that can quickly deescalate a situation before violence erupts and you find yourself on the wrong side of the law. Consider these solutions for avoiding an assault charge.
What Is Assault?
Texas defines the crime of assault as when a person knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally causes another individual bodily harm or injury. In the eyes of the law, assault can include:
- Making threats or coming into physical contact with another individual
- Assaulting another individual while participating in a sporting event in retaliation
- Knowingly inflicting harm on a public servant who is performing official duties
- Causing a bodily injury to someone when no other factors are involved
- Assaulting a spouse or family member
Aggravated assault is a higher-level offense that includes the use of a weapon during the event or causing a person serious bodily injury.
How to Avoid an Assault Charge
The best way to avoid an assault charge is to avoid putting yourself in an unsafe situation where tempers may flare, and violence may erupt. If you do find yourself in an unfortunate situation, consider these techniques for deescalating a potentially dangerous situation:
Communicate. Often, tensions flare when it feels like one party is not responsive to the other party. Sometimes calm and effective communication can do wonders when it comes to easing a tense and volatile situation. Listen carefully to what the other person has to say, don’t just wait to speak. Try to understand the situation from their point of view. When appropriate, calmly explain how the situation makes you feel and find some common ground that you both can come to terms with.
Remain Calm. The fastest way for an already tense situation to turn violent is for emotions to get the best of you. Try to remain calm throughout the incident. Take deep breaths and focus on remaining in control of your emotions.
Don’t Make Threats and Keep Your Distance. Words are powerful and can invoke a strong response in some people. Choose your words carefully. Do not make threats and try to keep your distance from the other party.
Walk Away. If worse comes to worst and a situation only seems to be going downhill, walk away. It’s okay to take time away to calm yourself and get some perspective on the argument. When tempers flare, sometimes, there is no way to resolve a conflict in the moment. Remove yourself from the situation before something happens that you or someone else will regret.
Defending Against an Assault Charge
If the unthinkable happens and an assault takes place, contact a skilled defense attorney immediately. Some strategies can possibly help a person overcome an assault charge. First, do not try to explain the situation to anyone but your attorney. Do not reach out to the injured party, and do not post about the incident on social media. These are all mistakes that may result in your words or actions being used against you, even if you have good intentions.
Some of the most common defense tactics that may be used to fight back against an assault charge include:
- Self-defense
- Defense of others
- Defense of property
- Procedural issues
In Texas, you have the right to protect yourself, others, and your property. Self-defense or other defense strategies may be a viable way to combat an assault charge. If your rights were violated during the arrest or there are procedural issues with how your case was handled, or there is a lack of evidence, a skilled defense attorney may be able to get the charges against you dismissed.
Contact a Dallas Assault Defense Attorney Today
An assault conviction can wreak havoc on your personal and professional life. Fight back and contact a Dallas defense team that is willing to aggressively defend you.
If you’ve been arrested for assault, contact the Law Offices of Mark T. Lassiter as soon as possible. We can immediately begin to craft a defense plan based on your unique situation. Call us today at (214) 845-7007.
