Assault

Sec. 22.01 of the Texas Penal Code defines "Assault" in clear, specific terms. A person commits an offense of assault if the person:

• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another, including the person's spouse;
• Intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury, including the person's spouse; or
• Intentionally or knowingly causes physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative.

From this definition, a charge of assault can range from a Class "C" misdemeanor charge involving offensive touching to the more serious felony charge of aggravated assault, which often involves an allegation of serious bodily injury to the victim or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon.

If you are being investigated or have been contacted by law enforcement concerning an allegation of Assault, you need to consult with an attorney prior to giving any statement as any conversation you have with law enforcement may be recorded. The best advice, however, is to avoid having a charge of assault filed against you. If you are in a volatile situation, as is often the case when one is going through a divorce, remember that Texas' definition of Assault is broad and simple physical contact made during an argument may be regarded as "offensive" by the receiving party and an even the mere allegation of pain to the victim can be sufficient to satisfy the legal definition of "bodily injury."

Family Violence/Assault

Tenacious Texas Family Violence Defense Attorney

A domestic violence conviction can tarnish your future

A family or domestic abuse charge can affect your employment, your family and may have long term consequences on the rest of your life.

Family violence is often treated more harshly than nearly any other misdemeanor offense in Texas. A conviction can carry fines, significant jail time and loss of rights, and any following family violence arrest may be increased to a felony charge. A conviction can potentially bar you from seeing your family or children in the future, should you divorce or separate. Domestic abuse is one of the few misdemeanor offenses in Texas where a police officer can immediately arrest you without having to witness the incident. At J. Gordon Dees, Attorney at Law, A Professional Corporation, I provide aggressive criminal defense to clients who are facing a family violence arrest.

Juvenile Law

Representing the juvenile client

Because even good children can sometimes find themselves in trouble and all children deserve to be treated justly and fairly, I believe it is crucial that children receive zealous and professional legal representation in juvenile court and it is for this reason that I have chosen to make juvenile law a part of my practice and serve on the Houston Bar Association's Juvenile Consequences Partnership.

Children who are alleged to have engaged in delinquent conduct and summoned into the juvenile courts of the State of Texas are generally accused of the types of misconduct that would result in criminal charges if committed by someone seventeen years of age or older. Further, depending on the nature of the misconduct and the history of the child, there can be significant consequences for children within the juvenile justice system. Accordingly, it is important for children and parents to take the juvenile court experience very seriously and it is the lawyer’s responsibility to thoroughly advise families regarding the State’s case against the child, the child’s rights and the options for resolution. I believe that it is only with a thorough understanding of these matters that families can make the necessary decisions that will lead to fair and just treatment of the child.

Regulatory Agency Investigations

Many challenges face today's executives and business owners as they attempt to comply with the often complex regulations and overlapping jurisdictions of different government regulatory agencies. Even the most conscientious and law abiding citizen may discover that he or she is under investigation for a regulatory violation. If you or your employees are contacted by state or federal authorities, contact a lawyer immediately.

Since 1983, J. Gordon Dees has represented corporations, business owners and individuals in responding to investigations by regulatory agencies. Gordon provides the skillful representation and resources in today's often confusing compliance environment to respond to a regulatory investigation in a timely fashion.

Sex Crimes

If you should learn that you are being investigated for a sex crime or have been charged with a sex crime, including Internet and/or computer related sex crimes, contact a lawyer immediately. Often a police officer will contact an accused person and request them to give a statement and “tell their side of the story” and perhaps take a polygraph examination. Prior to agreeing to discuss the accusation with police, an accused person should consult with an experienced criminal lawyer to determine what response, if any, is in the person’s best interest. Even a statement denying guilt might later be used by the prosecutor to attempt to discredit the accused person at trial.

Conviction of a felony sex crime in either Texas State or Federal court may lead to a lengthy prison sentence and always requires registration as a sex offender. In more than twenty five years of criminal defense practice I have represented many people who have been charged with sex crimes and I am well aware of the anguish and humiliation just the accusation alone can cause a person and their family.

If you are under investigative for or have been charged with a sex related crime, call J. Gordon Dees at 713-621-2070. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your call.

Skilled Houston Lawyer Advocating for Your Rights

In this troubled economic climate, complaints of white collar crimes are on the rise. White collar crimes are nonviolent in nature, but typically involve some degree of theft, fraud, deception or conspiracy. The results of merely being accused of white collar crime can include criminal punishment and damage to your professional and personal reputation, and a conviction would be devastating.

I represent and counsel corporations, executives and small business owners facing white collar criminal charges and the potential criminal liability inherent in certain business activities, and I will work to minimize any potential damage to your reputation and/or your company’s image.

Helping you navigate the legal waters of business

Due to changing laws, business practices that were once legal may now be illegal and considered a crime. It can be hard to know where the lines are with many shades of gray. This makes doing business in today's marketplace even more complex. At J. Gordon Dees, Attorney At Law, A Professional Corporation, I am here to provide sound legal counsel to you and your company. If you face criminal prosecution, I have the experience to guide you through the legal process and to fully educate you about your legal situation. I am a former Chief Felony Prosecutor for the Harris County District Attorney's Office in Houston, Texas. I know how the opposition thinks and builds their cases. I am here to help counter those efforts on your behalf.