The Sixth Amendment guarantees every defendant the right to confront their accuser in court. At Del Prado Law, we defend this right every day.
What Is the Right to Confrontation?
Why It Matters
Exceptions Prosecutors Use
Especially Important in Domestic Violence Cases
We fight to uphold your rights — even when prosecutors try to bend the rules. Let Del Prado Law stand between you and wrongful conviction.
Self-defense is one of the most powerful tools in criminal law — and in Texas, it’s a right protected by law. Here’s what every Texan needs to know.
When Is Force Justified?
When Is Deadly Force Allowed?
No Duty to Retreat
Castle Doctrine
Charged after defending yourself? Call Del Prado Law — we’ll protect your right to stand your ground in Texas.
If you’ve been charged with assault in San Antonio or anywhere in Bexar County, don’t panic — but don’t delay either. Here are five proven strategies we use at Del Prado Law:
Let Del Prado Law defend your name and freedom. We don’t back down — and we know how to win assault cases in San Antonio courts.
What Is a “No Drop” Policy?
Can the DA Really Proceed Without the Victim?
Your Right to Confront Your Accuser
What Should You Do If You’re Charged?
Facing a “no drop” policy in Bexar County? Call Del Prado Law now. We’ve helped hundreds beat or reduce family violence charges.
Getting arrested in San Antonio can be terrifying and confusing. Whether it’s your first encounter with law enforcement or not, understanding your rights and next steps is crucial to protecting your freedom. At Del Prado Law, we’ve defended thousands of clients across Bexar County and we know how to help you take control of your case from the moment the handcuffs come on.
Arrested in San Antonio? Contact Del Prado Law today for a free consultation. We fight to get your charges dismissed or reduced — fast.
Under Texas Penal Code §22.01, domestic assault occurs when someone –
Even Class C misdemeanor charges—such as merely offensive contact—can carry devastating consequences if the court makes an affirmative finding of family violence. Therefore, you want to avoid a domestic assault or domestic violence in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
Many people believe that if the alleged victim doesn’t want to press charges, the case will be dropped. That is false.
In virtually every Texas county, district attorneys enforce a “no drop” policy. This means that once a domestic violence charge is filed, only the State can decide whether to dismiss it—not the complainant. Prosecutors may subpoena the alleged victim to testify, and in some cases, may even attempt to proceed without the victim’s testimony. As you can easily see, a assault domestic violence or family violence charge in Texas is always serious.
Prosecutors may use statements made during the 911 call, bodycam footage, or other out-of-court remarks if they can persuade the judge that those statements are non-testimonial in nature.
Why does that matter?
Because under the Sixth Amendment, the accused has the constitutional right to confront their accuser—but this only applies to testimonial statements. If the court finds the statements were made in the heat of the moment (e.g., to help police respond to an ongoing emergency), they may be admitted into evidence without the witness ever taking the stand.
This is a growing and dangerous trend in Texas domestic assault prosecutions. A family violence charge or allegation is very serious.
A domestic violence conviction—or even a deferred adjudication with a finding of family violence—triggers a landslide of collateral consequences that can follow you for life:
Even a Class C misdemeanor for “offensive contact” can carry these penalties if the court enters a “family violence” finding. That one sentence on a judgment can affect your life forever.
If you’re facing any type of domestic assault charge—no matter how minor it may seem—you must act now to protect your rights and your future.
At Del Prado Law, we understand the gravity of what you’re facing. Mario Del Prado is a Board-Certified Criminal Law Specialist, with over 35 years of experience defending people against criminal charges. He’s a former Chief Prosecutor of Major Crimes in Bexar County, and he knows exactly how these cases are built—and how to dismantle them.
Don’t wait for the system to make up its mind about you. Get an advocate who knows the law, knows the courts, and knows how to win. Get expert guidance from a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist based in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas.
Call Del Prado Law Today at (210) 698-3533 or visit DelPradoLaw.com
Experience. Skill. Results. When your freedom is on the line, nothing else will do.
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