Aggravated Assault Attorney in McAllen, TX

Felony Assault Defense Built on Eight Years Inside Hidalgo County Courts

Aggravated assault is a felony charge under Texas law. A conviction can mean years in state prison, a permanent record, and consequences that reach every part of your life well after your sentence ends. At Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu, we defend clients facing these charges in McAllen and throughout Hidalgo County, and our foundation reflects attorney Rolando Cantu’s eight years as a Hidalgo County Assistant District Attorney personally prosecuting assault cases in the same courts where these charges are heard.

That experience isn’t just background. It’s direct knowledge of how the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s office evaluates evidence, structures charges, and decides how hard to fight a case. We bring that knowledge to your defense from day one. Bilingual representation in Spanish is available, and we offer free initial consultations by phone, Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, or in person.

An aggravated assault charge demands immediate attention. Call us now at (956) 594-5607 to speak with Rolando Cantu directly. We’re available 24/7 and serve clients across McAllen, Edinburg, Mission, Pharr, and the broader Rio Grande Valley.

What Makes an Assault “Aggravated” Under Texas Law

Standard assault under Texas Penal Code § 22.01 covers intentionally causing bodily injury, threatening imminent bodily injury, or causing offensive physical contact. Aggravated assault under § 22.02 goes further in two distinct ways: a charge becomes aggravated when the person either causes serious bodily injury to another or uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the assault.

Serious bodily injury is a legal threshold, not just a description of pain. Under Texas law, it means injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes death, causes serious permanent disfigurement, or results in protracted loss or impairment of any bodily member or organ. The deadly weapon category extends well beyond firearms. A vehicle, a piece of furniture, and even bare hands can qualify depending on how they were used. Critically, no physical injury needs to occur at all if a deadly weapon was displayed during the incident.

Penalties: Second-Degree & First-Degree Felony Ranges

Aggravated assault is typically charged as a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Certain circumstances push the charge to a first-degree felony, where the range is 5 to 99 years or life in prison. First-degree exposure applies when a deadly weapon causes serious bodily injury to a family member, household member, or dating partner; when the victim is a public servant acting in an official capacity; or when the victim is a security officer on duty. A 2023 statutory amendment also elevated aggravated assault causing traumatic brain or spinal injury resulting in persistent vegetative state or irreversible paralysis to a first-degree felony.

When a deadly weapon finding is entered, significant sentencing consequences follow under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.054. Courts generally can’t grant judge-ordered community supervision, and a person with that finding must typically serve at least 50 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Actual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case.

Why Prosecution Experience Changes the Defense in McAllen

Rolando Cantu prosecuted cases in Hidalgo County for eight years before serving as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, McAllen Division. He founded Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu in 2018 to bring that level of preparation to people on the other side of the courtroom.

When you’re facing an aggravated assault charge in Hidalgo County, the defense strategy that matters is one shaped by real knowledge of how the local DA’s office approaches these cases. We know which evidence arguments can carry weight at the intake stage, how charging decisions get made before a grand jury indictment, and what prosecutorial pressure can look like at trial. That knowledge shapes everything from early suppression motions to plea negotiations to courtroom defense. You work directly with Rolando Cantu throughout the process, not with support staff.

Start Your Defense with a Free Consultation

The earlier we get involved, the more options we may be able to pursue. A call today costs nothing and can give you a clear picture of where your case stands. Call (956) 594-5607 or reach us through our online contact form. We represent clients in McAllen, Hidalgo County, and across the Rio Grande Valley.