Assault is a serious crime and can result in significant penalties for convicted individuals. Less serious assaults can result in misdemeanor charges while an aggravated assault charge can lead to a felony.
Each assault case is unique and comes with varying degrees of evidence such as witnesses and forensic corroboration. Two recent Texas cases shed light on the legal proceedings related to assault charges.
Former pastor accused of aggravated sexual assault
The Valley Central news reported that a woman claimed a pastor at a church sexually assaulted her in 2018. The assault occurred after the man injected her with an unknown substance. The man claimed to hold a medical license, but the Texas Medical Board said the man did not have a license to practice medicine in the U.S. Authorities charged the man with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of practicing medicine without a license.
The man pleaded not guilty and posted $340,000 bond for his release. He awaits trial in December.
Man arrested on assault charges
A story in the Herald Banner reported on the arrest of a Commerce man for aggravated assault. Authorities held the man in the Hunt County Detention Center in lieu of $75,000 bond. The assault involved the use of a deadly weapon. It was not known at the time of the report whether the man had an attorney or intended to file a writ of habeas corpus to obtain defense counsel. Aggravated assault is a second-degree felony. A conviction carries the possibility of 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.