Fort Worth Aggravated Assault Lawyer | Free Consultation

Fort Worth Aggravated Assault Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with aggravated assault in Fort Worth, you’re facing 2 to 20 years in prison, and potentially up to 99 years or life if the charge involves a family member or a deadly weapon. You need a defense team that has handled these cases before, knows how the Tarrant County system works, and has a track record of getting results. That’s exactly what you get at Varghese Summersett.

Why Clients Facing Aggravated Assault Charges Choose Varghese Summersett

Aggravated assault is one of the most serious charges in the Texas Penal Code. It’s classified as a 3G offense, which means tougher sentencing rules and no judge-granted probation after a trial conviction. The attorneys you choose can make the difference between a dismissal and a prison sentence.

Varghese Summersett has more than 100 years of combined experience defending people charged with violent crimes in Tarrant County. The firm has secured more than 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions across all criminal case types, including multiple aggravated assault dismissals right here in Fort Worth. This team is backed by 70-plus members across four offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston.

What sets Varghese Summersett apart in aggravated assault cases is the depth of its bench:

Former prosecutors who handled these same charges. Tiffany Burks spent 22 years as a prosecutor in the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, retiring as a deputy chief. She has handled thousands of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to murders, and now uses that insider knowledge to defend clients facing the same charges she once prosecuted.

Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists. The firm has five Board Certified attorneys, the highest level of specialization recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. This is includes Benson Varghese, Anna Summersett, and Letty Martinez who are Board Certified in Criminal Law and Lisa Herrick and Mike Hanson who are Board Certified in Juvenile Law.

Attorneys who know the Tarrant County courthouse inside and out. Christy Jack is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney who has more than 20 years of prosecutorial experience, including service as chief of the Family Violence Unit and the Crimes Against Children Unit. She has tried more than 100 cases before Texas juries.  Our Fort Worth office is steps from the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center. Our attorneys appear in these courtrooms regularly. They know the judges, the prosecutors, and the process. That familiarity matters when your freedom is on the line.

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Our Results in Aggravated Assault Cases

Results tell the real story. Here are outcomes Varghese Summersett has achieved for clients facing aggravated assault and related violent crime charges:

Aggravated Assault with Deadly Weapon, Tarrant County (Case No. 1825757): Attorney Tiffany Burks represented a client charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charge was dismissed.

The firm’s historical case database also reflects multiple dismissals, no-bills, and prosecution-barred outcomes in aggravated assault with deadly weapon cases and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury cases in Tarrant County. These include grand jury no-bills in serious bodily injury cases and outright dismissals in deadly weapon cases.

Additionally, the team has secured dismissals in related violent offense cases, including assault family violence, continuous family violence, and deadly conduct charges.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

What We Do for Aggravated Assault Clients in Fort Worth

When you hire Varghese Summersett, here’s what happens from day one:

Immediate case evaluation and jail release strategy. If you or a loved one is still in jail, getting out quickly is the priority. We work to secure bond and, when appropriate, argue for reduced bond amounts. Based on our analysis of over 52,320 bonds set in Tarrant County in 2025, typical bonds for aggravated assault cases look like this:

Charge	Cases Analyzed	Average Bond	Most Common Bond
Agg Assault with Deadly Weapon (§ 22.02(a)(2))	1,158	$35,189	$10,000
Agg Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury (§ 22.02(a)(1))	60	$45,608	$15,000
Agg Assault on Family Member w/ Weapon/SBI (§ 22.02(b)(1)(A))	41	$46,585	$25,000
Agg Assault Against Public Servant (§ 22.02(b)(2)(B))	12	$108,000	$25,000

Your bond amount depends on the specific charge, your criminal history, and other factors.

Thorough investigation before the State builds its case. Evidence fades fast. Surveillance footage gets recorded over. Witnesses’ memories change. We immediately begin our own independent investigation, gathering the evidence and testimony your defense needs before it disappears.

Grand jury defense. In Tarrant County, aggravated assault charges must go through a grand jury. This is a chance most people don’t know about. Our attorneys can present a grand jury packet with evidence, witness statements, and legal arguments designed to convince the grand jury not to indict. A “no bill” means no indictment, no trial, and no felony record.

Aggressive pretrial litigation. If the case is indicted, we challenge the State’s evidence through motions to suppress illegal searches, coerced statements, and unreliable witness identifications. We fight to exclude the prosecution’s strongest evidence before trial.

Negotiation from a position of strength, or trial. Because our attorneys have tried more than 100 cases before Texas juries, prosecutors know we are prepared to go to trial. That reputation gives us leverage in plea negotiations that other firms simply don’t have. When negotiation isn’t in your best interest, we take the case to a jury.

How We Attack Aggravated Assault Charges

Under Texas Penal Code § 22.02, the State must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. You have no burden to prove your innocence. That’s the law, and our attorneys use it to your full advantage.

The prosecution must prove the defendant intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury and either (1) caused serious bodily injury or (2) used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the assault. Each element is a potential breaking point in the State’s case. Here is how we target them:

Self-defense. Texas has broad self-defense protections under Penal Code §§ 9.31 and 9.32. If you were defending yourself, your family, or your property, the law may be on your side. We gather the evidence to prove it.

Challenging the “deadly weapon” element. Not every object qualifies as a deadly weapon. The State has to prove the item was used in a way capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. We’ve seen cases where this element doesn’t hold up under scrutiny, and the charge can be reduced to misdemeanor assault.

Disputing serious bodily injury. The legal standard for “serious bodily injury” is specific: substantial risk of death, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss of a bodily function. Many injuries, even painful ones, don’t meet that threshold. Medical records and expert testimony are often the key.

Exposing false accusations. Aggravated assault charges frequently arise from domestic disputes, bar altercations, or road-rage incidents where emotions run high. Witnesses exaggerate. Alleged victims fabricate. We dig into the facts, including surveillance footage, phone records, social media posts, and inconsistent statements, to uncover the truth.

Attacking the mental state. Accidents happen. If the injury was unintentional and not the result of reckless behavior, the State may not be able to prove the required mental state.

Suppressing illegally obtained evidence. If police violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, arrest, or interrogation, we file motions to suppress that evidence. Without it, the State’s case may collapse.

Penalties You’re Facing and Why Representation Matters

The consequences of an aggravated assault conviction in Texas are severe and long-lasting:

• Second-degree felony: 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000
• First-degree felony: 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000

First-degree felony enhancements apply under Texas Penal Code § 22.02(b) when the offense involves a family or dating relationship, a public servant acting in an official capacity, retaliation against a witness, a security officer, or discharge of a firearm from a vehicle.

Beyond prison time, a conviction brings collateral damage: loss of firearm rights, difficulty finding employment or housing, immigration consequences, and a permanent felony record. Because aggravated assault is a 3G offense, you must serve at least half of any prison sentence before parole eligibility.

The right defense attorney doesn’t just reduce a sentence. The right defense attorney works to keep you out of prison entirely, whether through dismissal, a charge reduction, deferred adjudication, or acquittal at trial. That is what Varghese Summersett fights for every day.

What Happens After You Call Us

Here’s what working with Varghese Summersett looks like from the moment you pick up the phone:

Step 1: Free, confidential consultation. You speak directly with a criminal defense attorney, not a paralegal, not a call center. We assess your case, explain your options, and answer your questions. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Step 2: Strategy session and case review. Once retained, your attorney reviews every detail of the arrest, the evidence, and the prosecution’s theory. We identify the strongest angles for your defense and map out a plan.

Step 3: Active defense from day one. We don’t wait for the State to build its case. We investigate immediately, engage with prosecutors early, and begin laying the groundwork for dismissal, reduction, or trial.

Step 4: Constant communication. You will know what’s happening with your case at every stage. You’ll have 24/7 access to your legal team. No unanswered calls, no guessing.

If you’re facing aggravated assault charges anywhere in Tarrant County, every day without a defense attorney is a day the State gains ground. Reach out to Varghese Summersett at (817) 203-2220 to get started.

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Watch: How to Beat an Aggravated Assault Charge in Texas

Watch More: Aggravated Assault in Texas Explained

Frequently Asked Questions

Can aggravated assault charges be dismissed in Tarrant County?

Yes. Varghese Summersett has secured dismissals and grand jury no-bills in aggravated assault cases in Tarrant County. Dismissals can happen when evidence is insufficient, the alleged victim’s account is inconsistent, constitutional violations occurred during the investigation, or the grand jury declines to indict after reviewing a defense packet.

How much does an aggravated assault lawyer cost in Fort Worth?

Legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the case, whether it goes to trial, and the severity of the charges. Varghese Summersett offers a free initial consultation so you can understand your options before making any financial commitment. Given the stakes, including years in prison and a permanent felony record, investing in experienced defense counsel is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

Should I talk to police about my aggravated assault charge?

No. Do not give a statement to law enforcement without an attorney present. Anything you say can and will be used against you, even statements you think are helpful. Politely invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney, then call Varghese Summersett immediately.

What is the difference between assault and aggravated assault in Texas?

Simple assault under § 22.01 is typically a misdemeanor involving bodily injury, the threat of injury, or offensive contact. Aggravated assault under § 22.02 elevates the charge to a felony when serious bodily injury occurs or a deadly weapon is used. The jump in penalties is dramatic: from up to a year in county jail for misdemeanor assault to up to 20 years (or life) in prison for aggravated assault.

Can I get probation for aggravated assault?

Aggravated assault is a 3G offense, so a judge cannot grant probation after a trial conviction. However, a jury may recommend probation in certain second-degree felony cases, and deferred adjudication may be available through a negotiated plea agreement. An experienced defense attorney can explore every avenue to keep you out of prison.

Your Defense Starts With a Phone Call

Every day without a defense attorney is a day the prosecution gets ahead. Our Fort Worth aggravated assault lawyers are available around the clock, our office is steps from the Tim Curry Criminal Justice Center, and our consultations are free and confidential. If you or someone you love has been charged with aggravated assault in Tarrant County, call Varghese Summersett now at (817) 203-2220.