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San Antonio Family Violence Attorney
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San Antonio Family Violence Defense Lawyer
If you've been accused of assault or family violence in San Antonio, the consequences can extend far beyond the criminal case. San Antonio criminal defense attorney Larry Bloomquist represents individuals facing family violence and domestic violence-related allegations and works to protect their rights throughout the criminal process.
Assault Family Violence Charges in Texas
A simple family argument can quickly escalate into an assault family violence charge. Raised voices may lead a neighbor or family member to call law enforcement, and when officers arrive, emotions are often running high. Statements made in the heat of the moment, conflicting accounts of what happened, or allegations of physical contact can result in someone leaving the scene in handcuffs. Police officers responding to family violence calls are often required to make difficult decisions based on the information available to them at the scene. If you have been arrested or accused of assault family violence, an experienced San Antonio family violence attorney can help you understand the charges, protect your rights, and begin building your defense.
What Happens After a Family Violence Arrest in San Antonio?
Being arrested for family violence can be overwhelming, particularly if you have never been involved with the criminal justice system before. In addition to facing a criminal charge, you may suddenly be unable to return home, communicate with a family member, or possess a firearm.
Understanding what happens after a family violence arrest in San Antonio can help you prepare for the process ahead and avoid decisions that could make your situation more difficult.
Texas family violence cases can also become complicated quickly. Even if the person who made the original accusation later changes their mind or does not want to pursue charges, that does not necessarily end the case.
Case Result - Assault Bodily Injury Family Violence Charge - Dismissed
October 2025 = Bexar County Texas - Assault Bodily Injury Family Violence Charge dismissed after second Court Appearance by Attorney Larry Dean Bloomquist presented Affidavit of Non-Prosecution and pointed out discrepancies between initial statements to police and physical evidence.
Case Result - Assault Family Violence - Dismissed
Client was arrested and charged with assaulting her husband with a high heel shoe. Mr. Bloomquist explained the evidence supporting self –defense to the prosecutors and set the case for trial. On the day of trial the all charges were dismissed.
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What is Considered Family Violence in Texas?
Texas law defines family violence based in part on the relationship between the people involved.
Family violence allegations may involve current or former spouses, parents of the same child, relatives, foster family members, people who live or previously lived in the same household, or individuals in certain dating relationships.
One of the most common charges is Assault Family Violence.
An allegation does not necessarily have to involve a serious physical injury. Depending on the circumstances, accusations involving bodily injury, threats, or certain types of physical contact may lead to an assault charge.
The classification and potential penalties depend on the specific allegations, the defendant's criminal history, and other factors.
What Happens When Police Respond to a Family Violence Call?
When San Antonio police respond to a domestic disturbance, officers will generally speak with the people involved and investigate what happened.
They may look at:
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Statements from the people involved
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Witness statements
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Visible injuries
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Photographs or video
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911 recordings
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Text messages or other communications
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Damage at the scene
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Previous incidents or allegations
If officers believe there is probable cause that an offense occurred, an arrest may be made.
What someone says during this initial investigation can become important evidence later. Statements made during a stressful encounter with police may not always accurately reflect what happened, which is one reason a defense attorney may carefully examine body-camera footage, 911 recordings, witness accounts, and other evidence.
Can Family Violence Charges Be Dismissed in Texas?
This is one of the most common misunderstandings surrounding family violence cases.
The person who made the accusation does not ultimately control whether the criminal case continues.
Once an arrest has been made and a case has been referred for prosecution, the government decides whether to pursue the charge.
An alleged victim may later tell prosecutors that they do not want charges pursued or that the original allegations were inaccurate. That information can be important, but it does not automatically cause the case to disappear.
Prosecutors may evaluate other evidence, including police reports, body-camera footage, photographs, 911 recordings, witness statements, medical records, and communications between the people involved.
Learn more about whether family violence charges can be dismissed in Texas and the circumstances that may affect the prosecution's decision.
Assault vs. Family Violence in Texas
The terms assault and family violence are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not mean exactly the same thing under Texas law.
An assault can occur between virtually any two people. Family violence, on the other hand, describes certain conduct involving people who have a particular family, household, or dating relationship.
That distinction matters. An allegation involving a spouse, former spouse, dating partner, family member, or household member can have consequences that extend beyond those associated with an ordinary assault case.
If you have been accused of assault involving someone close to you, understanding how Texas distinguishes assault from family violence is an important first step.
If you have been accused of assault involving someone close to you, understanding how Texas distinguishes assault from family violence is an important first step. If an arrest has already occurred, learn what happens after a family violence arrest in San Antonio, including what to expect with bond conditions, protective orders, and the court process.
The Possible Charges and Consequences
You can be charged with family violence if an altercation leads to any physical contact that causes any amount of physical pain committed against a family member or someone in a dating relationship. It is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of a $4,000.00 fine and up to 1 Year in the county jail. The sentence may be probated for up to 2 years.
These cases involve contact such as a:
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Hit
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Slap
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Push
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Shove
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Grab
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Pinch
Second offenses are considered 3rd-degree felonies and are punishable by up to a $10,000.00 fine and confinement from 2 years to a maximum of 10 years in prison. The sentence can be probated for up to 10 years. Aggravated assault is either causing serious bodily injury to a person or using a deadly weapon to threaten a person with imminent bodily injury. These are both 2nd-degree felonies punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and confinement from not less than 2 years nor more than 20 years in prison. The sentence can be probated for up to 10 years.
If the aggravated assault causes serious bodily injury and a deadly weapon is used in the commission of the crime against a family member or someone in a dating relationship, it is a felony of the 1st degree punishable by a fine up to $10,000.00 and not less than 5 years nor more than 99 years or life in prison. A sentence of 10 years or less in prison may be probated for up to 10 years. In addition to the above penalties, there may be other penalties such as a limitation on your right to possess or carry a firearm. You may also be targeted by a protective order forbidding you to go to certain places.
Family Violence/Domestic Violence Lawyer Representation
Facing an assault family violence charge in San Antonio? Contact Larry Bloomquist, Attorney at Law to discuss your case with an experienced San Antonio family violence defense lawyer.
We handle criminal law cases throughout Central Texas, including, San Antonio, Seguin, New Braunfels, and Boerne, Texas.
Larry Bloomquist also represents individuals facing family violence allegations in Comal County. If your case is in the New Braunfels area, learn more about representation from a New Braunfels family violence attorney.
Our Areas of Practice
Our San Antonio criminal defense law firm handles a wide range of criminal defense matters, including bail bonds and jail release assistance, self-defense cases, and serious felony charges such as murder, capital murder, and manslaughter. We represent clients facing assault and aggravated assault allegations, sex crimes, family violence cases, and gun and weapons charges. Our defense services also cover drug possession and drug delivery offenses, DWI, intoxication assault, and intoxication manslaughter. Additionally, we defend against burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft, fraud, white collar crimes, organized crime charges, probation violations, and more — providing aggressive, strategic representation at every stage of the process.