Denton Domestic Violence Lawyer

Criminal Defense & Family Law Under One Roof for Denton County Clients

A domestic violence charge doesn’t just put your freedom at risk. It can reshape your custody arrangement, trigger a protective order, and follow you into a divorce proceeding before a criminal verdict is ever reached. At Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC, we handle both criminal defense and family law, which means our attorneys understand how these cases interact from the moment of arrest through every parallel court proceeding. Founding attorneys Theresa Blake Goline and Gregory C. Goline bring over three decades of combined legal experience, with deep familiarity with Denton County courts, its prosecutors, and the local dynamics that shape how these cases move.

If you’re facing a domestic violence charge in Denton, the time to act is now.

Call Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC today at (940) 400-0475 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our domestic violence attorneys in Denton.

What Texas Law Defines as Family Violence

Texas statutes use the term “family violence” rather than domestic violence. Under Texas Family Code Chapter 71, the definition is broad. It covers harm or threats of harm against spouses, former spouses, dating partners, current and former household members, parents, children, and relatives. Physical assault is the most commonly charged conduct, but covered acts also include sexual assault and threats that place a family or household member in reasonable fear of imminent harm.

Courts and prosecutors also recognize non-physical forms of abuse in related proceedings, including emotional and psychological abuse, financial control, and stalking. Anyone can face a family violence charge regardless of gender, age, or relationship status. If you’re uncertain whether your situation falls under these definitions, that question is worth discussing with a Denton domestic violence lawyer before anything else.

Texas Domestic Violence Charges & Penalties

Texas law defines three primary charge categories, and the differences between them carry major consequences. Understanding where a case may land is one of the first things we assess when a new client comes to us.

Domestic Assault

A first-offense domestic assault is typically charged as a Class A misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in county jail and fines up to $4,000. The charge escalates significantly if the assault involved choking or strangulation, or if the accused has a prior conviction. Either circumstance can elevate the charge to a felony.

Aggravated Domestic Assault

When the assault causes serious bodily injury or involves a deadly weapon, the charge becomes aggravated domestic assault, a second-degree felony. A conviction carries 2 to 20 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Continuous Violence Against the Family

Two or more domestic assaults within a 12-month period, even without a prior conviction for either, constitute continuous violence against the family under Texas law. This offense is a third-degree felony, punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

The stakes extend well beyond the courtroom. Collateral consequences to be aware of include:

• Affirmative Finding of Family Violence: Under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42.013, a court can enter an affirmative finding of family violence even on deferred adjudication. That finding can elevate any future misdemeanor assault to a felony offense.
• Firearm Rights: A conviction can result in loss of the right to own or possess a firearm under both state and federal law.
• Criminal Record: A permanent record affects employment, housing, and professional licensing.
• Child Custody: A family violence charge or conviction can directly influence custody and visitation determinations in related family court proceedings.

What Happens After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Denton County

After a domestic violence arrest in Denton, the accused is booked at the Denton County Jail and brought before a magistrate, typically within 24 to 48 hours. At that hearing, the magistrate sets bail and release conditions. Local judges routinely issue temporary emergency protective orders at this stage, restricting contact with the alleged victim before any formal charges have been filed. Violating those conditions is a separate criminal offense.

The Denton County District Attorney’s Office maintains a dedicated Domestic Violence Unit staffed with felony and misdemeanor prosecutors, criminal investigators, and a victim intervention specialist. This unit handles these cases. Critically, Denton County prosecutors can proceed with a case even if the alleged victim recants or declines to cooperate. The state files the charges, not the victim, and the unit has experience building cases without full victim cooperation.

For qualifying first-time or lower-level offenders, the Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP) may be available as a diversion option. FVIP typically involves counseling and anger management requirements. Whether diversion is a realistic path depends on the specific facts and charge level, and we can assess eligibility during an initial consultation.

Defense Strategies for Domestic Violence Charges

An accusation is not a conviction. At Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC, we investigate every available defense strategy and tailor the approach to the specific facts of your case. No two domestic violence cases are identical, and the defense that fits one client’s situation may be entirely wrong for another.

Strategies we examine in these cases include:

• False Accusations: Allegations made out of anger, strategic advantage in a custody dispute, or miscommunication aren’t uncommon. We investigate the circumstances around the allegations directly.
• Self-Defense: Texas law recognizes the right to protect yourself or others. We examine the full context of the incident to determine whether self-defense applies.
• Lack of Evidence: When the prosecution’s evidence is thin or circumstantial, we can pursue charge reduction or dismissal.
• Rights Violations During Arrest: If law enforcement failed to follow required procedures during the arrest or investigation, evidence obtained as a result may be excludable.
• Mistaken Identity: Witness identification errors happen. We examine the evidentiary basis for any identification made against our clients.
• Affirmative Finding Strategy: When deferred adjudication is on the table, challenging the evidentiary basis for a family violence finding under Texas CCP 42.013 can help avoid consequences that may otherwise follow you long term.

We also look carefully at mutual combat issues, credibility problems with prosecution witnesses, and procedural conduct throughout the arrest and investigation. Every detail matters when building a defense.

Domestic Violence Defense in Denton: Local Knowledge Matters

Domestic violence cases in Denton are governed by both Texas Family Code Chapter 71 and the Texas Penal Code. Under Texas law, officers are authorized to make warrantless arrests when probable cause of family violence exists, which means arrests often happen quickly, sometimes before the full picture is clear.

Our attorneys know the Denton County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit and how local judges and prosecutors approach these cases at every stage. We also understand how a criminal charge can ripple into a related family law proceeding pending in Denton County courts, including custody disputes, protective orders, and divorce. Because we handle both sides of that equation, clients working with us don’t face the risk of a criminal defense strategy that undermines a simultaneous family law position, or vice versa.

Friends of the Family, a Denton community organization, provides shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy for victims and their families. We understand the community context in which these cases arise, and that understanding shapes how we prepare and present a defense.

Why Denton Clients Choose Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC for Domestic Violence Defense

The dual criminal defense and family law practice at Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC is a key differentiator for clients facing overlapping legal issues. We can defend the charge while also helping protect your position in any related custody or divorce proceeding. When both are at stake, having one legal team that holds the full picture can be a meaningful advantage.

Theresa Blake Goline and Gregory C. Goline have spent decades building experience in both practice areas, with roots that run deep in Denton County. Theresa Blake Goline’s background in small business ownership gives the firm an informed perspective when domestic violence charges intersect with financially complex divorce matters involving business assets or financial independence concerns.

We actively listen to each client before forming a strategy. Our open communication policy means you’re kept informed at every stage of your case, not left guessing between calls. Flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend consultations, and accommodating payment plans reflect our understanding that these situations rarely happen on a convenient timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens After a Domestic Violence Arrest in Denton?

The accused is booked at the Denton County Jail, and a magistrate sets bail and release conditions, typically within 24 to 48 hours. Local judges routinely issue temporary emergency protective orders at this stage. The Denton County DA’s Domestic Violence Unit handles prosecution and can proceed even if the alleged victim recants.

Can the Victim Drop Domestic Violence Charges in Texas?

No. In Texas, charges are filed by the state, not the victim. Denton County prosecutors have the authority to proceed with a case even without victim cooperation or testimony. A victim’s position can influence the case, but it doesn’t control it. This is one reason early legal representation matters.

How Can a Lawyer Help When the Allegations Are False?

Through investigation. We gather evidence, interview witnesses, examine the accuser’s account for inconsistencies, and verify whether law enforcement followed required arrest procedures. False allegations in the context of custody disputes aren’t unusual, and an experienced Denton domestic violence lawyer knows where to look.

What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Domestic Violence Conviction?

Beyond fines and possible incarceration, a conviction creates a permanent criminal record that affects employment, housing, and professional licenses. You may lose the right to own or possess a firearm. An affirmative finding of family violence can elevate future charges. And in Denton County family courts, a conviction can significantly affect custody and visitation rights.

Are There Alternatives to Jail in Denton County Domestic Violence Cases?

In some cases, particularly for first-time or lower-level offenses, Denton County courts may consider probation, community service, mandatory counseling, anger management, or referral to the Family Violence Intervention Program (FVIP). Whether these options are available depends on the charge, the facts, and the accused’s history. We evaluate these possibilities for every client.

Contact Our Denton Domestic Violence Attorneys Today

From your initial consultation through resolution, Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC prioritizes transparent communication and defense strategies built around your specific circumstances. We understand what’s at stake on the criminal side and in any family law proceeding running parallel to it. You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Contact Goline & Roland Law Firm, PLLC today to schedule a consultation with our domestic violence lawyers in Denton.