What Criminal Charges Can You Face Being Involved in a Bar Fight?

Bar fights on TV seem relatively harmless, but in reality, they can land you in jail—or worse. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how quickly words can escalate into arguments and then into a bar fight. Bar fights can involve various criminal charges, depending on the situation. How can they affect your future and freedom? And what should you do if you find yourself facing charges as a result of participating a bar fight?

1. Assault

If you get into a bar fight, you can get charged with assault. Under Texas law, a person commits assault if he intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person.

2. Aggravated Assault

Under Texas law, aggravated assault occurs when a person causes serious physical harm to another intentionally or recklessly. If you brandish or use a deadly weapon—whether it’s a pool cue, beer stein, or chair—during a bar fight, your assault charges will be increased to aggravated assault.  

Recommended Read: What’s the Difference Between Criminally Negligent Homicide and Wrongful Death Under Texas Law?

3. Will I Face Serious Penalties?

Depending on the offense, you may. An unwanted or offensive touching is a Class C misdemeanor. While you may not face jail time, you may pay a fine of up to $500. This is considered a fine-only offense.

A person commits a Class C misdemeanor assault if he or she "intentionally or knowingly cause physical contact with another when the person knows or should reasonably believe that the other will regard the contact as offensive or provocative." Texas Penal Code Section 22.01(a)(3).

 

If you cause physical harm to another person without aggravating factors, you could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. This is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to one year in prison.

If you cause bodily harm or threaten a public servant or government official, you could face up to 10 years in prison for a third-degree felony.

The same charge increases to a second-degree felony if it’s against a family member or a partner or if you’ve committed prior offenses. This is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

If you commit aggravated assault against a security guard, officer, public official, or emergency worker, you may be facing life in prison, depending upon the circumstances. This is a first-degree felony.

Are you facing criminal charges as a result of being involved in a physical altercation in a restaurant or bar? Attorney JL Carpenter is trusted by hundreds of clients across the Greater Houston area. Her practice areas include driving while intoxicated, boating while intoxicated, domestic violence, family violence, and drug possession, among others.

Take a close look at her track record to understand why she could be the right criminal defense lawyer for you. When you’re ready, schedule a consultation with JL. She serves clients in Friendswood, Clear Lake, Houston, and the surrounding neighborhoods.