At Barbieri Law Firm, P.C., we defend professionals in Frisco and across Collin County against violent crime charges, including assault, aggravated assault, domestic violence, robbery, kidnapping, manslaughter, and homicide.
Since 2000, our team has handled serious criminal cases, led by Heather Barbieri, who is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
In Texas, a violent crime charge generally involves force, the threat of force, bodily injury, or the alleged use of a deadly weapon. These cases can range from a Class A misdemeanor assault to a first-degree felony, but even an accusation can create immediate consequences.
The first hours after an arrest or investigation matter. Our in-house investigation team reviews forensic and digital evidence early, while our in-house reputation management support helps protect the professional and personal narrative around you.
How Texas Classifies and Prosecutes Violent Crimes
Texas sorts violent offenses into felony tiers, and the tier decides how much of your life is at stake.
Robbery is a second-degree felony, while aggravated robbery rises to first-degree. Aggravated assault is typically second-degree, punishable by up to 20 years, but becomes first-degree when a deadly weapon is used against a public servant. Murder is a first-degree felony, and capital murder carries life without parole or the death penalty.
According to Texas Penal Code § 12.32, a first-degree felony conviction carries a punishment range of 5 to 99 years or life imprisonment, plus a fine of up to $10,000. Enhancements for prior convictions, firearm use, gang affiliation, or a hate crime designation can push a charge higher.
In the Frisco area, felony violent cases move through Collin County’s 416th and 417th District Courts in McKinney. Prosecutors build their case on surveillance footage, cell data, social media, forensic evidence, and witness credibility.
Our Violent Crimes Defense Services in Frisco, Texas
- Assault and aggravated assault defense
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon defense
- Murder and manslaughter defense
- Robbery and aggravated robbery defense
- Kidnapping and unlawful restraint defense
- Terroristic threat defense
- Weapons-related violent offense defense
- Domestic violence defense
- Assault family violence defense
- Juvenile violent crime defense
- Federal violent crime charges, including Hobbs Act robbery and federal assault
- Pre-arrest and grand jury intervention
- Bond hearings and pretrial detention challenges
- Motion practice, including suppression, dismissal, and motions to quash
- Self-defense and affirmative defense strategies
- Trial representation in Collin County District Court and the McKinney courthouse
- In-house investigation and forensic evidence review
- In-house reputation and media narrative management for high-visibility matters
Facing charges? Talk to a Frisco defense attorney today.
Why Choose Barbieri Law Firm for Violent Crimes Defense in Frisco
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Heather Barbieri has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005,, a credential held by fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys. This is verified mastery of serious criminal matters, including violent felonies.
In-House Investigation From Day One
An investigator with decades of high-stakes experience is embedded with the legal team from the start, reconstructing timelines and exposing gaps in police work faster than firms that farm the work out. In violent cases, that early evidence analysis often decides the outcome.
In-House Reputation Management
Almost no defense firm offers this. The firm manages media coverage and protects your professional and personal reputation during and after the case, directly addressing the licensing and career exposure a charge creates.
Concierge Access and Early Intervention
When possible, the team engages before charges are filed, shaping the investigation rather than reacting to it. Caseloads are intentionally limited, so you work directly with Heather Barbieri’s team, with the discretion your situation demands. Every consultation is protected by attorney-client privilege.
25 Years of Firm History
55+ combined years of team experience, and 260+ client reviews. We offer focused, trial-ready defense for people whose freedom and reputation are both on the line.
Do’s and Dont’s If You Are Charged With a Violent Crime in Frisco, TX
What not to do:
- Do not speak to police without an attorney present, voluntary statements are routinely used against defendants, even innocent ones.
- Do not post about the incident or the alleged victim on social media, screenshots outlive deleted posts.
- Do not contact the alleged victim directly, this can trigger new charges like witness tampering or a protective order violation.
- Do not delay hiring counsel, surveillance footage gets overwritten and witnesses disappear.
- Do not assume a self-defense claim removes the need for full preparation.
What to do:
- Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to counsel immediately. According to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Gideon v. Wainwright, the Sixth Amendment right to counsel applies in state proceedings, so assert it at once.
- Preserve texts, receipts, and alibi evidence, and write down potential witness names.
- Follow every bond condition if released, and let your legal team engage investigators and prosecutors.
About Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
Since 2000, Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. has defended clients whose freedom and reputation are both on the line, serving Frisco, North Texas, and the greater DFW Metroplex for 25 years.
The firm was built for high-stakes, high-visibility cases involving professionals, executives, and public figures.
That means one integrated model: legal defense, an in-house investigation team, and in-house reputation management working together. Caseloads are kept intentionally limited so every client gets direct attorney access and the discretion these stakes demand.
How We Defend Violent Crime Cases in Frisco and Collin County
1. Immediate Consultation and Case Assessment
You reach out by phone or web form and complete a confidential intake. We review the charge, bond status, available evidence, and your exposure, all under attorney-client privilege.
2. Early Intervention Before Charges Where Possible
When there is still time, we engage with investigators, prosecutors, or the grand jury to shape the story before an indictment ever lands.
3. In-House Investigation Launch
Our in-house team reconstructs the timeline, analyzes digital and forensic evidence, interviews witnesses, and exposes procedural errors, without waiting on outside vendors.
4. Reputation and Media Strategy
If coverage exists or is anticipated, our in-house reputation team activates to protect your professional and personal standing.
5. Motion Practice and Pre-Trial Strategy
We move to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, challenge probable cause, and scrutinize chain of custody.
6. Negotiation or Trial
We consider a plea only when it serves you. Otherwise, we prepare for full jury trial in the Collin County District Court at the McKinney courthouse.
7. Post-Disposition
We handle appeals and analyze record sealing or expunction eligibility under Texas law.
Frequently Asked Questions About Violent Crimes Charges
What is the difference between assault and aggravated assault in Texas, and why does it matter for my case?
Under Texas Penal Code, simple assault often involves causing bodily injury, threatening harm, or offensive contact, and it can range from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor. Aggravated assault steps up to a felony when serious bodily injury occurs or a deadly weapon is used or displayed.
Can a violent crime charge be dropped if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges?
Not automatically. In Texas, the State, not the alleged victim, decides whether to prosecute. The Collin County District Attorney’s office can move forward even when the complaining party asks to drop the matter, especially in family violence cases. A victim’s reluctance can influence the outcome, but it is one factor among many.
What does self-defense mean under Texas law, and can it get my charges dismissed?
Texas has some of the broadest self-defense protections in the country, including the Castle Doctrine and stand-your-ground provisions. You may be justified in using force, or even deadly force, when you reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect yourself. A strong self-defense claim can lead to dismissal, a no-bill from the grand jury, or acquittal at trial.
How serious is an aggravated robbery charge in Collin County?
Very serious. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony in Texas, punishable by up to life in prison. The Collin County District Attorney treats these cases as high priority, and bond conditions are often strict. Because the stakes are extreme, defense strategy has to start immediately, before evidence disappears or statements harden. Early intervention, sometimes before charges are even filed, can meaningfully shape how the case unfolds.
Will a violent crime arrest show up on my background check even if I’m not convicted?
Yes. In Texas, an arrest can appear on background checks even without a conviction, which is a real concern for anyone whose role depends on a clean record, a professional license, or a security clearance. Records can sometimes be sealed or expunged depending on the outcome, but that is not guaranteed for every case.
What happens at a bond hearing for a violent felony in Frisco?
After arrest through the Frisco Police booking process, a magistrate sets bond based on the offense, your ties to the community, and any perceived risk. For violent felonies, the amount is often high, and the judge may impose conditions like no-contact orders or GPS monitoring. Having counsel present early can influence the bond amount and terms.
Can a first-time offender avoid prison for a violent crime in Texas?
It is possible, depending on the charge and the facts. Options may include deferred adjudication, probation, or reduced charges, though violent felonies limit some of these paths. A first-time offender with strong professional standing and a well-built defense often has more room to negotiate. The Collin County District Court weighs the specifics closely.
What is the difference between murder and manslaughter under Texas law?
Murder generally requires intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or an act clearly dangerous to human life. Manslaughter involves recklessly causing death without that intent. The distinction affects the degree of felony and the potential sentence dramatically. There is also a heat-of-passion consideration that can reduce a murder charge. A murder defense lawyer evaluates the mental state alleged, which is often the central battleground.
Should I talk to police if I believe I was acting in self-defense?
Be very careful. Even a truthful statement made under stress can be twisted or used against you later. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel, and exercising both is usually the wisest move. Explaining self-defense is far more effective when done through an attorney who can present the full context.
What Frisco Clients Say About Our Violent Crimes Defense
“From the top down everyone here is professional and 100% engaged in assisting you and fighting for you until the end.” – Sailingman
Direct access and constant communication matter when your future is on the line and you cannot afford to chase updates.
“She was extremely helpful through the whole process… as I was clueless on what to do and felt I had nowhere to turn.” – Nikhil P.
For someone new to Collin County courts, clear guidance from a board-certified team removes the fear of the unknown.
“They care about you and your reputation and will not back down.” – Lisa Greenberg
Reputation protection is a distinct service here, not an afterthought.
“As a fellow criminal defense attorney… I’m consistently impressed by their dedication and results.” – Angelica Cogliano
Peer recognition signals a focused, respected practice. This content is informational, not legal advice.
Local Resources for Violent Crime Cases in Frisco and Collin County
- Frisco Police Department Records Division
Handles police records, open records requests, subpoenas, public fingerprinting, clearance letters, expunctions, and court-ordered sealings for Frisco Police Department records.
- Frisco Police Public Information Requests
Allows written requests for Frisco Police Department records under the Texas Public Information Act. The city notes that some requests may involve processing costs.
- Collin County District Courts
Handles felony criminal cases for Frisco residents located in Collin County, including serious assault, aggravated assault, robbery, and other violent crime charges.
- Collin County Detention Facility / Inmate Information
Provides jail information, inmate lookup tools, mail and visitation information, inmate funds, and care package resources for people held in Collin County custody.
- Collin County Integrated Victim Services System
Provides crime victims with notifications and basic information about jailed suspects, offenders, and scheduled court events.
- Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Division
Useful for criminal history records, fingerprint-based background checks, and state-level criminal record information.
Contact Barbieri Law Firm Today
A violent charge in Frisco does not stay inside a courtroom. It can reach your employer, your licensing board, and your neighbors long before a verdict is ever reached. The first 72 hours after an arrest or investigation often decide how much damage is done, which is why acting now matters more than waiting to see what happens.
Barbieri Law Firm defends serious charges in Collin County District Court and the McKinney courthouse.
Every consultation is confidential and protected by attorney-client privilege. Caseloads are intentionally limited, so you work directly with our team, and retainer arrangements can be discussed on that first call.
Call us directly to speak with our team today. The conversation is confidential and carries no obligation.
