At Barbieri Law Firm, P.C., our assault defense attorneys represent clients across Frisco, Collin County, Denton County, and the wider North Texas region who are facing serious assault or violent-crime allegations.
Since 2000, the firm has handled high-stakes criminal cases. Led by Heather Barbieri, who is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, the firm brings focused defense experience to every case. As one client shared, “You will sleep easier and know you are represented by the best.”
In Texas, assault can involve alleged bodily injury, threats of imminent harm, or physical contact considered offensive or provocative. Charges can arise from arguments, bar disputes, domestic situations, or misunderstandings, and penalties can range from misdemeanor jail time to felony prison exposure.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. helps clients respond quickly by investigating the facts, reviewing witness statements, 911 calls, body-camera footage, medical records, and digital evidence, and building a defense before key information disappears. If the accusation involves a first-time misdemeanor or an aggravated assault investigation, our team provides strategic advocacy, and reputation-focused support from the start.
Case Result
Charges
- Assault Causing Bodily Injury – Family Member (Class A Misdemeanor)
Outcome
Case dismissed — video evidence proved our client acted defensively, clearing them of the allegations.
Potential Sentence
Up to 1 year in jail
How We Won
We obtained surveillance footage from the residence showing the encounter exactly as it occurred. The video contradicted the complainant’s claim that our client initiated the assault and confirmed she was the aggressor. Her contradictory statements further weakened the prosecution’s case. Once we presented the footage and timeline analysis, law enforcement had no credible path forward. Law enforcement dropped all charges, ensuring our client avoided a damaging family-violence conviction.
Assault Cases We Handle in Frisco
- Assault defense
- Aggravated assault
- Family violence assault
- Self-defense claims
- Deadly weapon allegations
- Serious injury allegations
- Protective order issues
- Arrest response
- Case investigation
- Reputation protection
Facing charges? Talk to a Frisco defense attorney today.
Why Choose Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. for an Assault Case
Board Certified Lead Counsel
Heather Barbieri has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005, a credential held by under 1% of Texas attorneys.
In-House Investigation Team
Our investigators work alongside the legal team from day one, reconstructing timelines and analyzing forensic evidence to expose weaknesses in the state’s case faster than firms relying on outside vendors.
In-House Reputation Management
Assault allegations can damage a career before a verdict is ever reached. Our internal PR support helps manage media coverage and protect professional standing during and after the case.
Whole-Team Defense Model
Every case is prepared collaboratively, with multiple attorneys and investigators stress-testing strategy. Caseloads are kept intentionally limited so clients receive direct attorney access and discretion.
Early Intervention When Possible
We engage before charges are filed when we can, shaping the investigation rather than reacting to it, which is often the difference in self-defense and consent claims.
Understanding Texas Assault vs. Aggravated Assault
Under Texas Penal Code 22.01, a basic assault can involve threats, offensive contact, or causing bodily injury. Aggravated assault under 22.02 happens when the alleged conduct causes serious bodily injury or involves the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. That shift can move a case from a misdemeanor to a first or second-degree felony.
What counts as serious bodily injury or a deadly weapon is rarely as clear as a police report makes it sound. A kitchen knife on a counter, a vehicle, or even hands and feet can be argued as deadly weapons depending on the circumstances.
Medical records, ER notes, and the actual extent of injury matter. So do witness statements, surveillance footage, doorbell video, text messages, and 911 audio.
Police often arrive after the fact and rely on one version of events. Assumptions get baked into reports and follow the case for months. Our team digs into the facts, pressure tests witness accounts, and examines the digital trail before the prosecution defines the narrative.
Common Defense Strategies in Assault Cases
Every assault case depends on its specific facts, evidence, and witnesses. The right defense strategy will vary, but common issues a defense team may evaluate include:
- Self-defense or defense of another when the use of force was reasonable under the circumstances.
- Lack of intent if the alleged conduct was accidental or does not meet the required mental state.
- Mistaken identity in chaotic settings, crowded venues, or low-light situations.
- Inconsistent statements across 911 calls, police reports, body-camera footage, and later interviews.
- Insufficient evidence when the state cannot prove the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Consent where legally relevant to the conduct alleged.
- Witness credibility issues involving bias, motive to lie, intoxication, or unreliable memory.
- Incomplete investigation when police miss interviews, overlook evidence, or rush to conclusions.
- Forensic or digital evidence gaps involving missing video, chain-of-custody issues, or unreviewed phone records.
A strong defense often combines several of these points with independent investigation and careful evidence review. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the more opportunities there may be to preserve evidence, challenge assumptions, and protect your options.
What Happens After an Assault Arrest in Frisco
After arrest, the case in Frisco may move through several stages:
- Charging review: The District Attorney or County Attorney reviews the case and decides whether to accept, reduce, reject, or modify the charges.
- Discovery: The defense obtains police reports, body-camera footage, 911 audio, medical records, witness statements, and other evidence.
- Independent investigation: The defense team reviews the timeline, interviews witnesses, and tests the state’s version of events.
- Pretrial litigation: Attorneys may file motions, challenge evidence, negotiate with prosecutors, and prepare for hearings.
- Trial preparation: If the case cannot be resolved on acceptable terms, the defense prepares to present the case in court.
- Record-clearing review: After resolution, the defense may evaluate eligibility for expunction or nondisclosure when available under Texas law.
How Assault Allegations Can Affect Your Reputation and Future
An assault allegation can affect your life long before a case is resolved. Beyond court, clients often face consequences involving employment, licensing, business relationships, security clearance, immigration status, college discipline, family court, and online search results.
For professionals, executives, students, business owners, and non-citizens, even a pending charge can create serious disruption. Employers may take action, licensing boards may request disclosure, schools may open conduct proceedings, and family courts may consider the allegation in custody or protective order matters.
That is why early defense matters. Alongside the criminal case, Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. helps clients manage reputation concerns, respond strategically to outside inquiries, and protect professional standing where possible. We do not promise removal or suppression of online content, but we do work to control what can be controlled.
Get to Know Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. has defended clients across North Texas since 2000, focusing on high-stakes criminal cases where freedom and reputation are both at risk. The firm serves Frisco and the greater DFW Metroplex with a strategy-first approach built for serious allegations, not volume work.
Founder Heather Barbieri is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by under 1% of Texas attorneys. She has maintained that certification continuously since 2005.
The firm’s defense model is built on three pillars.
- An in-house investigation team works the case from day one, reconstructing timelines and pressure-testing the prosecution’s evidence.
- In-house reputation management protects the client’s professional and personal standing while the case unfolds.
- Concierge-level access means direct communication with the attorney handling your defense, not a rotating cast of associates.
Caseloads are kept intentionally limited so every client receives the discretion and focus their situation demands.
Our Process For Frisco Clients
Here is the path we walk with every client facing assault charges in Frisco.
1. Confidential Case Review
We listen first. You share what happened in a private setting, and we begin identifying what matters most.
2. Immediate Risk Assessment
We evaluate exposure, potential charges, and time-sensitive issues like bond conditions or protective orders.
3. Evidence Preservation
We move fast to secure texts, video, witness contacts, and digital records before they disappear.
4. In-House Investigation
Our embedded investigator reconstructs the timeline, examines forensic details, and pressure-tests the state’s version of events.
5. Defense Strategy Session
The team meets with you to map the strategy, weigh options, and set clear expectations.
6. Reputation Planning
Our in-house team manages media exposure and protects your professional and personal standing.
7. Negotiation or Trial Preparation
We pursue dismissal or favorable resolution where possible and prepare every case as if it is going to trial.
8. Record-Restoration Review
When eligible, we pursue expunction or nondisclosure to clear your record once the case concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Assault Cases
If the alleged victim does not want to press charges, will my Texas assault case be dropped automatically?
No, and this surprises many people. In Texas, the State, not the alleged victim, decides whether to prosecute an assault case. The Collin County District Attorney can move forward even if the complainant signs an affidavit of non-prosecution.
What is the difference between a Class A misdemeanor assault and a third-degree felony assault in Texas?
A Class A misdemeanor assault typically involves bodily injury without aggravating factors and carries up to one year in county jail and a fine up to $4,000. A third-degree felony assault usually involves a family or household member with a prior conviction, a public servant, or strangulation, and carries two to ten years in state prison.
Can I be charged with assault in Texas if I never actually hit the other person?
Yes. Texas Penal Code Section 22.01 defines assault three ways, and only one of them requires actual injury. You can be charged for intentionally or knowingly threatening someone with imminent bodily injury, or for making physical contact the other person finds offensive or provocative. This means a raised fist, a shove, or even an unwanted poke in the chest can trigger an assault charge.
How long does an assault charge stay on my record in Texas, and can it be expunged?
If you are convicted, an assault charge stays on your record permanently and cannot be expunged. If your case is dismissed, you are acquitted at trial, or you successfully complete certain deferred adjudication terms for eligible offenses, you may qualify for an expunction or an order of nondisclosure.
What should I do if Frisco police want to interview me about an assault allegation but I have not been arrested yet?
Do not speak to detectives without a lawyer present, no matter how innocent you are or how friendly the officer sounds. Anything you say can and will be used to build a case against you, and detectives are trained to elicit statements that fit their existing theory. Politely decline, ask if you are free to leave, and call a defense attorney immediately.
If I acted in self-defense during the incident, why am I still being charged with assault?
Self-defense is what Texas law calls an affirmative defense, which means it does not stop charges from being filed. It is a legal argument you raise in court to justify your actions after the fact. The officer on scene typically arrests whoever appears to be the aggressor based on visible injuries and witness statements, not after weighing every legal nuance.
Will an assault charge affect my professional license, security clearance, or job in North Texas?
Yes, and this is where many clients underestimate the damage. Licensed professionals such as nurses, teachers, attorneys, financial advisors, and physicians often face mandatory reporting requirements and licensing board reviews after an arrest, even before conviction. Security clearances and corporate background checks can flag a pending charge and trigger suspension or termination.
What happens at the first court appearance after an assault arrest in Collin County?
Your first appearance is typically a magistrate hearing within 48 hours of arrest, where bond is set and you are read your rights and the charges against you. After release, your case moves to an arraignment in either a Collin County court at law for misdemeanors or a district court for felonies.
What Clients Say About Working With Barbieri Law Firm
“From the top down everyone here is professional and 100% engaged in assisting you and fighting for you until the end.” – Sailingman
The whole-team model means clients are never left guessing. Communication stays consistent from intake through resolution.
“She was extremely helpful through the whole process as I was clueless on what to do and felt I had nowhere to turn.” – Nikhil Patel
Clients facing assault charges often feel isolated and overwhelmed. The team meets that fear with patience and clear guidance.
“Their approach to my son’s case was perfect. The entire team helped to keep our minds at ease throughout the whole process.” – Lisa Greenberg
Assault cases affect entire families, not just the accused. This feedback shows how the firm supports loved ones through every stage.
“Highly skilled and ethical advocates who will fight tirelessly for their clients.” – Angelica Cogliano
Recognition from a fellow criminal defense attorney carries real weight. It speaks to the firm’s reputation inside the legal community itself.
Local Resources in Frisco
- Frisco Police Department
- Frisco Municipal Court
- Collin County District Courts
- Collin County Courts at Law
- Collin County Clerk
- Collin County District Clerk
- Collin County Pretrial Services
- Collin County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
- Denton County District Courts
- Denton County Courts at Law
- Denton County Jail
- Denton County Criminal District Attorney’s Office
- Denton County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
Talk With a Frisco Assault Lawyer
If you are facing an assault accusation or case in Frisco, the next move matters. Talk with Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. about the facts, the risks you are weighing, and a defense plan built around your situation.
Consultations are confidential. We will listen, give you honest answers, and outline what a strong defense looks like from day one.
Call us to request a confidential consultation.
