At Barbieri Law Firm, P.C., we defend people in Allen facing assault, violence, and other violent crime charges in the Collin County courts.
The firm has defended serious cases since 2000, with 25 years in practice, 55-plus years of combined team experience, and 260-plus client reviews.
Violent crime charges cover assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, terroristic threat, and homicide offenses. Some are Class A misdemeanors. Others are felonies carrying prison time.
Bond hearings in Allen move fast, and an arrest can surface through an employer notification or background check within days. With us, you work directly with your attorney, not a rotating intake team, and consultations are confidential.
What Allen Clients Say About Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
“From the top down everyone here is professional and 100% engaged in assisting you and fighting for you until the end.” Josh H.
Clients work with a full team, not a rotating intake desk.
“They care about you and your reputation and will not back down.” Lisa G.
Reputation protection runs alongside the defense, not after it.
“She was extremely helpful through the whole process, as I was clueless on what to do and felt I had nowhere to turn.” Lydia S.
Most clients facing a first assault or family violence charge have never seen the inside of a Collin County courtroom. That is exactly where we start.
“As a fellow criminal defense attorney… I’m consistently impressed by their dedication and results.” Angelica C.
Peer recognition from other defense attorneys carries weight that advertising cannot buy.
What Are the Charges and Penalties for Violent Crimes in Texas?
| Charge | Typical Classification | Potential Penalty |
| Assault causing bodily injury | Class A misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in county jail and a fine of up to $4,000 |
| Aggravated assault | Second-degree felony in most cases | 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 |
| Terroristic threat | Misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances | Penalties vary based on the nature and target of the alleged threat |
| Manslaughter | Second-degree felony | 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 |
| Murder | First-degree felony | Generally 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 |
Why Clients Come to Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. in Allen
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Heather Barbieri has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005. Board certification means the State Bar has independently tested and verified her criminal trial experience, a credential fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys hold.
In-house investigation from day one
Our investigator, backed by decades of high-stakes criminal work, is embedded with the legal team from the first call. He reconstructs timelines, reviews digital and forensic evidence, and exposes gaps in police work without waiting on an outside vendor.
In-house reputation management
We defend the case and the life around it. Our in-house PR support manages media attention and protects your professional and personal reputation during and after the case, a service almost no defense firm offers.
Early intervention and direct attorney access
When possible, we engage before charges are filed and shape the investigation instead of reacting to it. Caseloads stay intentionally limited, so you speak with your attorney directly.
Experience matched to the county you are facing
Collin County has one of the state’s most well-funded district attorney’s offices. Our team brings 25 years in practice, 55-plus years of combined experience, and 260-plus client reviews to cases, including assault and domestic violence charges.
Our Violent Crimes Services for Allen Clients
- Assault / Violent Crimes
- Domestic Violence
- Felony Charges
- Sex Crimes
- Gun / Weapons Offenses
- Federal Charges
- Federal Conspiracy Defense
- Juvenile Crimes Defense
- Criminal Appeals
Facing charges? Talk to a Frisco defense attorney today.
What should I do immediately after being arrested for a violent crime in Allen, TX?
Say nothing beyond your name and identifying information, and call a defense attorney before your first court appearance. Anything you tell Allen police or a Collin County investigator becomes evidence, and a calm explanation offered at 2 a.m. often becomes the State’s strongest exhibit later.
Bond settings move quickly, and violent felony cases out of Allen are filed into the 296th and 366th District Courts in McKinney, where prosecutors receive the police file long before the defense does.
According to the Texas Office of Court Administration’s FY2022 Annual Statistical Report, Collin County district courts recorded 4,362 felony filings, reflecting the volume and resources of the office on the other side of your case.
A reactive defense waits for discovery. An early defense moves while evidence is still recoverable: surveillance video, injury photos, medical records, and witness accounts that harden over time. Our in-house investigation team starts that work immediately.
If the allegation involves a spouse or household member, understand that a family violence finding affects your record, your employment, and your firearm rights well beyond the case itself.
Get To Know Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. in Allen
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. has defended criminal cases since 2000, operating from Frisco and representing clients across North Texas and the DFW Metroplex, including Allen and the Collin County courts in McKinney.
The team brings more than 55 years of combined experience and more than 260 client reviews. The firm focuses on high-stakes matters where a client’s freedom and reputation are both exposed, including assault and domestic violence charges.
Two things set the practice apart. An in-house investigation team embedded with the lawyers from day one, and in-house reputation management that addresses professional and community fallout while the case is still open. Caseloads stay limited so clients work directly with their attorney.
What Is the Difference Between Assault and Aggravated Assault in Texas?
In Texas, assault causing bodily injury is generally a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail. Aggravated assault is much more serious and is usually a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in prison.
A charge can become aggravated assault when the alleged conduct causes serious bodily injury or involves the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. The distinction matters because it can turn a misdemeanor case into a felony with substantially greater prison exposure.
Our Violent Crimes Process for Allen Clients
1. Confidential case evaluation
You reach out by phone or web form, and the facts are reviewed under attorney-client privilege. Employer notification risk and community exposure are treated as part of the problem from the first call.
2. Early intervention
When charges have not been filed yet, we engage during the investigation to shape it instead of reacting to it later.
3. In-house investigation activated
Our embedded investigator rebuilds the timeline, examines forensic and digital evidence, and identifies the gaps in the police work.
4. Defense strategy built
Heather Barbieri, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, builds strategy around the charge level, the assigned Collin County court, the prosecutor, and the evidence.
5. Reputation management initiated
In-house PR support controls the narrative and protects your professional and personal standing while the case is still open.
6. Pre-trial motions and negotiation
We file suppression motions and negotiate dismissals or charge reductions with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, including assault and domestic violence allegations carrying a family violence finding.
7. Trial-ready defense
If the case proceeds, a fully prepared litigation team tries it at the McKinney courthouse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Violent Crimes
What is actually considered a violent crime under Texas law, and does a shoving match during an argument count?
Texas law treats assault as causing bodily injury, threatening imminent bodily injury, or making offensive physical contact. That means a shove or a grab during an argument can support an assault charge, even with no visible injury.
Will I go to jail for a first-time assault or family violence charge in Allen?
A first arrest does not automatically mean jail time, and Collin County prosecutors do consider criminal history, injury severity, and the strength of the evidence. But Collin County is known for taking family violence cases seriously, and a conviction or even a deferred outcome can carry a family violence finding.
Can a violent crime charge be reduced or dismissed in Collin County?
Yes, charges are regularly reduced, refiled as lesser offenses, or dismissed when the evidence does not hold up. Outcomes depend on the facts, the witnesses, and how early counsel gets involved.
What is a deadly weapon enhancement and how does it change my sentence?
A deadly weapon finding means the state alleges you used or exhibited something capable of causing death or serious injury, which can include a firearm, a knife, a vehicle, or even hands in some cases. If a jury or judge makes that finding, you must serve half the sentence before parole eligibility, and probation is unavailable on many felony charges.
What should I do immediately after being arrested for a violent crime in Allen?
Stop talking about the case to anyone but your lawyer, including police, the other party, and coworkers. Do not contact the complaining witness, because that can trigger a separate bond violation or a protective order case.
How does the grand jury process work for felony violent crime cases in Texas?
A Collin County grand jury of twelve citizens reviews the state’s evidence and decides whether to issue an indictment, which requires nine votes. The defense is not entitled to present, but your attorney can submit a grand jury packet with evidence, context, and witness statements for the panel to consider.
Can I own a firearm again after a family violence conviction in Texas?
Texas law bars firearm possession for five years after release from confinement or community supervision on a family violence conviction. Federal law is stricter and can impose a lifetime prohibition on possessing a firearm after a qualifying misdemeanor family violence conviction.
How long does a violent crime case take to resolve in Collin County?
Misdemeanor assault cases in Collin County courts often run four to nine months, while felony cases indicted and set in the district courts in McKinney commonly take nine months to two years. Timelines depend on lab results, discovery volume, and trial settings.
Will my employer find out about my arrest before my case is resolved?
Arrest records in Texas are public from the day they are filed, and routine background checks or licensing renewals can surface a pending charge before any court date. Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. addresses that exposure through in-house reputation management while the case is still open.
Local Resources in Allen for Violent Crime Cases
- Collin County Courthouse
The main judicial facility in McKinney where felony and serious misdemeanor cases originating in Allen are heard. - Allen Municipal Court
Handles Class C misdemeanor matters and lower-level offenses filed within city limits. - Collin County District Attorney’s Office
The prosecuting authority responsible for charging and trying felony cases across Collin County. - Allen Police Department
The primary law enforcement agency making arrests and conducting criminal investigations within the city. - Collin County Detention Center
The county jail facility in McKinney where individuals arrested in Allen are typically held pending bail or trial. - Collin County District Clerk’s Office
Maintains official court records and filings for all district-level cases handled in Collin County. - Collin County Sheriff’s Office
Provides law enforcement countywide and oversees operation of the county detention facility. - Collin County Bail Bond Board
Regulates and licenses bail bond agents operating throughout the county. - Texas Department of Public Safety, Collin County
Maintains state criminal history records and oversees driver license and identity verification services. - Collin County Community Supervision & Corrections
Administers adult probation and community supervision programs for individuals under court-ordered supervision. - Collin County Crime Victims’ Liaison Office
Connects crime victims with support services, notifications, and assistance throughout the court process.
Allen Residents Facing Violent Crime Charges Should Act Now
An assault or family violence charge in Collin County moves fast, and the first days shape the bond conditions, the evidence, and what ends up on your record.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. defends Allen clients in the McKinney courthouse and the Collin County district courts, with Heather Barbieri, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys hold.
You work directly with your attorney, not a rotating intake team. Our in-house investigators start building the timeline immediately, and our in-house reputation management team addresses employer and community exposure while the case is still open.
Call us to speak with our team today, including after hours and on weekends when arrests and bond hearings rarely wait. You can also request a confidential consultation through our contact form, and everything you share stays privileged.
