If you're facing assault charges in Texas, a critical question you might have is whether consent can serve as a defense. This is a complicated area of the law and understanding it can significantly impact your case. Below, we’ll explain the particular situations in which consent has an impact, and how an assault lawyer can use a consent defense to get your charges potentially reduced or thrown out.
Skilled Austin Assault Lawyers
Cofer & Connelly, PLLC is experienced at defending Texans in assault cases. For a proactive defense against assault charges, contact us at (512) 991-0576 or online for a consultation.
What is Assault in Texas?
First, it's essential to understand what assault means under Texas law. According to Texas law, you commit assault when you recklessly, intentionally, or knowingly cause bodily injury to another; threaten someone with imminent bodily injury; or engage in provocative or offensive physical contact. The severity of assault charges can vary – from a misdemeanor to a felony – depending on factors like the victim's identity and the extent of the injury caused.
The Role of Consent in a Texas Assault Case
Texas Statutes Section 22.06 clarifies how consent works in assault cases. It states that the victim's effective consent, or your reasonable belief that the victim consented, can be a defense against charges under Section 22.01 (assault), Section 22.02 (aggravated assault), and Section 22.05 (deadly conduct). But this comes with specific conditions:
- Absence of Serious Bodily Injury: Your conduct should not have threatened or inflicted serious bodily injury.
- Risk-Acceptance Situations: If the conduct was part of the victim's occupation, recognized medical treatment, or a scientific experiment carried out using recognized methods, and the victim was aware of this risk, consent could be a valid defense.
However, if the offense is related to criminal street gang activities, the consent defense is not applicable.
Interpreting Consent in Your Case
If you believe that consent could be a defense in your case, it’s important to understand how this applies to your specific situation. For example, in sports, physical contact is often part of the game, and if the alleged victim consented to participate in the sport, this could be a significant factor. In another example, if the alleged victim consented to a fist fight with you to resolve your differences with each other, then the alleged victim’s consent could serve as a defense to an assault charge. Likewise, in medical or scientific contexts, if the alleged victim consented to a procedure or experiment knowing the risks involved, this too could be relevant.
Limitations of the Consent Defense
While consent can serve as a defense, it's not always straightforward. Key limitations include:
- Serious Bodily Injury: If the assault resulted in serious bodily injury, relying on consent as a defense is more challenging.
- Gang-related Offenses: If the assault is connected to gang initiation or activities (e.g., the victim consented to an assault as a condition of getting admitted into a gang), consent cannot be used as a defense.
For more severe charges like aggravated assault or deadly conduct, which involve serious bodily injury or the use of deadly weapons, the consent defense is more complex and often inapplicable.
The Importance of Context
The specifics of your case – including your relationship with the alleged victim, the events leading up to the incident, and the nature of the conduct – are important in determining whether consent is a viable defense. For instance, if you were involved in a mutual and consensual activity where some level of physical contact is expected, this context is important for your defense.
Contact Our Austin Assault Lawyers Today
While consent can be a defense to assault charges in Texas, its effectiveness depends on various factors, including the nature of the alleged assault and the context in which it occurred. Given the severity of assault penalties in Texas, it is important to seek legal representation. An experienced defense attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your case, interpret the relevant laws, and develop a strategy that effectively addresses the specifics of your situation.
At Cofer & Connelly, PLLC, our team is experienced in representing Texans in assault cases and is ready to help protect your rights. We believe in a straightforward approach to legal defense, ensuring you receive clear, effective guidance throughout your case. Don't let assault charges overwhelm you. Instead, take a proactive step towards your defense. Contact Cofer & Connelly, PLLC by calling (512) 991-0576 or contacting us online for a consultation with an assault lawyer.