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An assault family violence charge, what most people call a domestic violence charge, moves faster and cuts deeper than almost any other case in Collin County. Within days of an arrest you can be ordered out of your own home, barred from contacting your spouse, and facing a prosecutor from a dedicated Domestic Violence Unit. I am Justin Wilson, the founding attorney at My Dallas Criminal Lawyer. Before defending these cases, I prosecuted them for the Collin County District Attorney’s Office, where I served as a misdemeanor court chief and rose to the felony courts. My colleague Kimberly Barclay Palmer spent eight years as a Dallas County prosecutor, including service as a misdemeanor court chief and felony prosecutor. We have handled family violence cases from both sides of the courtroom, and we know how these cases are actually built, evaluated, and resolved here. Together with our colleagues Kristi Tyler and Justin Harris, our team brings 21 combined years as prosecutors and more than 300 trials, and we put that experience to work where these cases are actually won, from the grand jury room to a Collin County jury.
That team now includes Kristi Tyler, who helped launch the Collin County District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit as its first misdemeanor chief.
Our office sits at 5 Cowboys Way in Frisco, on the Collin County side of the county line, minutes from the courts where these cases are decided. We defend assault family violence and domestic violence cases in every Collin County court, for clients arrested in Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, Celina, and everywhere in between. Call 214-764-5535 for a free consultation with a Collin County assault family violence attorney who has stood on both sides of these cases.
Both of our attorneys are former prosecutors, and I prosecuted family violence cases for the Collin County District Attorney’s Office myself. That background provides real insight into how the State builds these cases: how the Domestic Violence Unit evaluates evidence, what makes a complainant’s statement carry weight, when prosecutors will consider a conditional dismissal, and what a grand jury actually needs to see. We understand prosecutor strategies because we used them, and we can anticipate how your case will be evaluated at every stage, from magistration through the grand jury to trial.
Our recent family violence results demonstrate what this approach produces: both charges dismissed for a client facing Class A assault family violence and interference with an emergency call, with no plea and no conditions; felony family violence allegations no-billed at the grand jury stage through defense packets, including an assault of a pregnant person allegation and an impeding breath allegation; and conditional dismissals that preserved our clients’ eligibility for full expunctions. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee future outcomes, but preparation and early action are the constants.
Our Frisco office at 5 Cowboys Way STE 300, Frisco, TX 75034, provides easy access for residents throughout Collin County. We also maintain our Dallas headquarters, giving us the resources and reach to handle family violence cases while remaining accessible to our Frisco clients.
We offer 24/7 availability for urgent matters, understanding that family violence arrests often occur outside normal business hours. When you need immediate assistance, we are here to help.
Collin County handles these cases differently than its neighbors, and the differences shape everything about how your case should be defended. There is no single dedicated family violence court here the way Denton County runs one misdemeanor and one felony court for these cases. Instead, family violence cases are distributed across every court that hears criminal cases, but they are all prosecuted by a small, dedicated Domestic Violence Unit, a handful of prosecutors covering dockets in every one of those courts. That structure has two consequences. First, the prosecutor evaluating your case handles nothing but family violence cases, so generic defense tactics get recognized and discounted quickly. Second, because every court has its own policies and tendencies, the same case can play out very differently depending on which court it lands in, and knowing those tendencies is part of the job. Some Collin County courts have also begun running trial weeks that give family violence cases docket priority, which means these cases move, and decisions about strategy have to be made early.
One Domestic Violence Unit policy matters more than any other for how your case unfolds: prosecutors will not make a plea offer until they have spoken with the complaining witness. When the complainant is cooperative, we often explain that talking to the prosecutors actually helps, because it unlocks meaningful negotiation. When prosecutors cannot reach the complainant, the offer that eventually comes is typically harsher, and the case heads toward a trial setting. Either way, we plan for it rather than being surprised by it. I explain the county’s family violence system in depth in my guide to assault family violence in Collin County, and how it compares to the county next door in Collin County vs. Denton County.
Not every family violence arrest happens on the night of the incident. When police are called after the fact, they cannot simply make an arrest. They have to investigate and obtain an arrest warrant, and that investigation phase is where cases are won and lost. If a detective calls you, understand two things. The call is being recorded, and the detective is not calling to hear your side and close the file. Either the police already have enough for a warrant and are gathering recorded admissions to strengthen the case, or they do not yet have enough and need your statements to get there. Talking to the detective does not help you in either scenario. The right move is to politely decline and call a lawyer, because everything you might want investigators to know can be presented later, at the right time and in the right form.
If a warrant does issue, where you turn yourself in matters more than most people would ever guess. When you are magistrated at the Collin County Jail or the Frisco Jail on a family violence warrant, the bond conditions almost always include a full no-contact provision, on top of any emergency protective order. That means you cannot go home and cannot speak to your loved one at all until a judge modifies the conditions, and getting that hearing can take two to three weeks from the time we file the motion. We have seen, time and time again, that surrendering in Wylie produces a different result: typically an emergency protective order alone, one that allows contact so long as it is not threatening or harassing, while requiring distance from the home or workplace. And because Wylie handles fewer of these cases, we can usually get in front of a judge for a modification faster. Guiding a client through the surrender, the magistration, and the modification is often the first concrete thing we do, and it can be the difference between weeks of forced separation and a manageable path back to normal life while the case is defended.
Felony family violence allegations, impeding breath or circulation, assault of a pregnant person, continuous violence against the family, carry a structural vulnerability that most people have never heard of: the grand jury. In Texas, a grand jury of twelve citizens decides whether there is probable cause to indict, and nine of the twelve must agree. That is a very different thing from a trial jury, which must be unanimous to convict or acquit. At the grand jury stage, if just four of the twelve are not persuaded there is probable cause, the case is no-billed.
Here is why that math matters so much in family violence cases specifically. These offenses rarely happen in front of witnesses. They do not occur in front of police officers or other adults, and when children are present, prosecutors are understandably reluctant to put a young child in the position of testifying about their parents. In most cases, the only two people who really know what happened are the complainant and the accused. That means the police report rests on the officers’ own observations and on what people said in the chaos of that night, statements that were recorded on a body camera but were never sworn. A grand jury defense packet lets us put sworn evidence in front of the grand jury before an indictment ever issues. Sometimes that is a carefully prepared affidavit. Sometimes we go further: we bring the complaining witness into our office with a licensed court reporter, place them under oath, and ask questions, never telling them what to say, but giving them a full and fair opportunity to describe what actually happened, including the things the report got wrong or left out. People say far more in a sworn conversation than they ever write in a statement, and the court reporter’s transcript goes into the packet. When that sworn testimony undercuts the elements the State has to prove, grand jurors notice. The result can be a no-bill, or an indictment on a Class A misdemeanor instead of a felony, and either one changes the entire trajectory of the case. You can read how the process works in our guide to the Texas grand jury process.
When the allegation crosses into aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, or another violent charge outside the family context, different punishment rules apply, including limits on probation that surprise many people. Our Collin County violent crimes attorney page explains how we defend those cases.
People sometimes ask why we fight so hard at the grand jury stage when the case could simply be defended later. The honest answer is that the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor family violence case is the difference between two entirely different futures. At the misdemeanor level, we can often negotiate a conditional dismissal, where a client completes an anger management class, makes a modest donation to Hope’s Door, the official Collin County women’s shelter, and the case is dismissed, opening the door to a future expunction that clears the record entirely. Felony prosecutors almost never agree to that kind of resolution. And the common felony offramp has a trap in it: when a felony like impeding breath has proof problems, prosecutors can dismiss it and re-file as a Class A misdemeanor assault, then offer deferred adjudication. That sounds like a win until you learn that Texas law does not allow a nondisclosure for any deferred adjudication arising from a family violence allegation. A family violence deferred stays on your record forever. Knowing which resolutions actually protect your future, and which only appear to, is exactly the judgment you are hiring.
The trial calculus is just as different. A third degree felony carries two to ten years, and in Collin County a guilty verdict moves immediately into a punishment trial in front of the same twelve jurors, with the judge-or-jury punishment election locked in before the trial ever starts. Preparing responsibly for a felony trial means retaining an expert to perform a forensic psychological evaluation of our client before trial, an assessment of the likelihood of success on probation, so that if the verdict goes against us the jury hears qualified testimony supporting probation instead of prison. That evaluation and testimony add thousands of dollars of real cost, and skipping it is not an option we would ever accept, no matter how confident anyone feels that the complainant will not appear. At the misdemeanor level, the risk profile flips. A deferred adjudication offer and a guilty verdict at trial carry essentially the same probation terms, so there is far less to lose by setting the case for trial and requiring the State to bring its proof, and in these cases the State’s proof usually depends on the complainant appearing to testify. That leverage, walking a case right up to the edge of trial, is frequently what produces the dismissal.
An affidavit of non-prosecution is one of the most misunderstood documents in family violence law. Complainants read online that an ANP will make the case go away, rush to write a statement, and send it straight to the DA’s office. It will not make the case go away. The State decides whether to prosecute, not the complainant, and a rushed statement written without any understanding of what prosecutors must prove usually accomplishes nothing. Worse, that hurried statement is the one submission the DA’s office gets.
We handle it differently. When a complainant wants to provide an affidavit, we first walk them through what the State has to prove, then leave them alone to write their own statement in their own words. We time its delivery to the DA’s office for the moment it will do the most good, often after we have reviewed the evidence with the complainant so they can address what the report actually says, including anything it captured inaccurately. And there have been times in my career when a completed statement was not helpful, and because it came through us, we were able to make the decision not to submit it at all. Where a relationship is volatile and cooperation may not last, we secure the affidavit early. Where it is stable, we wait for the evidence and get it right. If you want the fuller picture, start with our guide to affidavits of non-prosecution.
Results are the honest measure of a defense practice, and family violence results are the ones we work hardest for. We recently obtained a complete dismissal of both charges for a client facing Class A assault family violence and interference with an emergency call after a Frisco arrest, with no plea and no conditions, even though the complaining witness wanted a conviction. You can read that full case result here. We have also used grand jury defense packets to win no-bills in felony family violence cases, including an assault of a pregnant person allegation and an impeding breath allegation that never became indictments. Every case turns on its own facts, and past results never guarantee a future outcome, but they do show how we approach these cases: early, prepared, and aimed at the resolution that actually protects your record. Browse more on our Collin County case results page.
We defend assault family violence and domestic violence cases for clients arrested by every agency in Collin County: Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Allen, Wylie, Prosper, Celina, Murphy, and the Collin County Sheriff’s Office. Wherever the arrest happened, the case lands in the Collin County courts and in front of the Domestic Violence Unit, and that is the arena we know from the inside. Start with our Frisco domestic violence defense page if your case is in Frisco, or our Collin County criminal defense lawyers page for the county-wide picture.
We have published detailed, first-hand guides to exactly how these cases work here. Start with our complete guide to assault family violence in Collin County, which covers bond conditions, protective orders, the CPS overlay, and how dismissals actually happen. See how this county compares to its neighbor in Collin County vs. Denton County, learn the fundamentals in What is Assault Family Violence?, understand what a supportive spouse can and cannot do in our affidavit of non-prosecution guide, and see how the indictment stage works in the Texas grand jury process. Then read the proof: both family violence charges dismissed for a recent client.
The reviews below were posted by our clients on Google and on Justia, a national lawyer directory. Each one links to the original review so you can verify it for yourself.
“Justin Wilson helped me with an assault family violence charge in Collin County. Justin’s knowledge of the law and experience with the Collin County courts helped to get my case dismissed. He and his team were responsive, caring, and professional. They kept me informed with regular updates. And Justin knew the right strategy to get the best outcome possible. I’d highly recommend him.”
“I am incredibly grateful for Justin Wilson’s exceptional work as my criminal defense attorney. Facing false allegations was daunting, but Justin’s expertise and dedication led to dismissals for both of my cases, clearing my name. He also skillfully secured an early expungement before the statute of limitations expired, giving me a fresh start. From the start, Justin listened attentively, explained every step, and was always available to address questions or provide updates. His strategic approach, attention to detail, and relentless advocacy were outstanding. Unlike some attorneys, Justin prioritizes his clients’ best interests over profit and can be trusted with complex legal matters. For anyone seeking a skilled, compassionate, and trustworthy criminal defense attorney, I wholeheartedly recommend Justin Wilson. Thank you, Justin, for everything!”
Choosing between lawyers for a family violence case? Read our former prosecutor’s guide to choosing a criminal defense attorney: when to hire, what to ask, and the red flags to avoid.
Not automatically. In Texas, the State prosecutes the case, not the complaining witness, and the Collin County DA’s office regularly moves forward without a cooperative complainant. What a supportive spouse or partner can do is powerful when it is done right: a properly prepared affidavit of non-prosecution, timed and presented strategically, or sworn testimony we present to the grand jury in a felony case. Done hastily, the same cooperation accomplishes nothing. This is one of the main reasons to involve a lawyer early.
It is a package of sworn evidence, affidavits, sworn witness testimony transcribed by a court reporter, and supporting documentation, that we present to the grand jury before it votes on indictment in a felony case. Nine of twelve grand jurors must find probable cause to indict; if four are not persuaded, the case is no-billed. In family violence cases, where the only real witnesses are usually the two people involved, a well-built packet can end a felony case before it begins or reduce it to a misdemeanor.
Often, yes, and it matters enormously. A felony that is no-billed or re-filed as a Class A misdemeanor opens resolutions that felony prosecutors rarely offer, including conditional dismissals that can lead to a full expunction. But beware the standard offramp: deferred adjudication on a family violence charge can never be sealed with a nondisclosure in Texas, so some reductions still leave a permanent record. The goal is not just a smaller charge; it is the resolution that actually clears your future.
No. The call is recorded, and it serves the investigation, not you. Either police already have enough for a warrant and want recorded admissions, or they do not and need your statements to get there. Politely decline and call a lawyer. Anything helpful to your side can be presented later, in the right form, including as sworn evidence to a grand jury.
It depends on your bond conditions and any protective order, and it depends heavily on where you were magistrated. Collin County and Frisco magistration on family violence warrants almost always includes a full no-contact bond condition; other municipal settings in the county often issue only a protective order that permits peaceful contact. If a no-contact condition is in place, we file a motion to modify and get you in front of a judge. Until then, follow the conditions to the letter, because a violation creates a new case.
A dismissal or acquittal can lead to a complete expunction, which is why we fight for outcomes that end in dismissal. But a conviction cannot be expunged, and uniquely, even deferred adjudication cannot be sealed by nondisclosure when the offense arises from family violence. The record consequences here are harsher than almost any other misdemeanor, which is why the resolution strategy matters as much as the defense itself.
For a misdemeanor, a trial is often our leverage: the State usually needs the complainant to testify, and a deferred adjudication offer versus a trial loss carry similar probation terms, so setting the case for trial costs little and frequently produces the dismissal. A felony trial is a different matter: a conviction moves immediately into a punishment trial before the same jury, and responsible preparation includes a forensic psychological evaluation supporting probation. We prepare for both outcomes in every trial we set, and we tell you the real risks before you make any decision.
Yes. Assault family violence is the formal charge language you will see on Texas court paperwork, and domestic violence is the everyday term for the same thing. Texas law applies the family violence finding to assaults involving family members, household members, and dating partners, and that finding is what triggers the enhanced consequences: firearm prohibitions, enhancement of future charges, and the record-sealing restrictions described above.
Facing DWI charges in Frisco can threaten your license, job, and freedom. Our defense lawyers guide you through the process and fight for the best possible outcome.
Accusations of domestic violence can damage your reputation and family relationships. Our Frisco attorneys work to protect your rights and pursue a result that limits the consequences.
Sex crime allegations carry severe penalties and lifelong stigma. Our Frisco defense team builds a strategic response aimed at safeguarding your record and future.
Violent crime charges such as assault or robbery can lead to long prison sentences. Our Frisco lawyers investigate the facts and challenge the prosecution’s case at every step.
From simple possession to trafficking, drug charges in Frisco can affect your freedom and career. Our attorneys explore every option to reduce charges or seek dismissal.
Shoplifting and property crime accusations can follow you for years. Our Frisco lawyers work to protect your record and resolve the case with minimal long-term impact.
If you’re facing a probation revocation in Frisco, your freedom is on the line. Our attorneys work quickly to address violations and fight to keep you out of jail.
When facing the Texas parole system, experience is important. My Dallas Criminal Lawyer brings years of experience representing clients before the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Collin County
May 2026
Dismissed
Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member
Collin County
May 2026
Dismissed
Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Member Class A
Collin County
May 2026
Dismissed
Robbery
Collin County
April 2026
Dismissed
Tampering with Evidence
Collin County
April 2026
Dismissed
Assault Family Violence
Collin County
April 2026
Refused
Assault Family Violence
Denton County
March 2026
Refused
Continuous Assault Family Violence
Collin County
April 2026
Dismissed
Tampering with Evidence
Eddie C.
Justin is a truly talented lawyer. His ability to think critically, and analyze quickly, are just a couple of traits that make him an excellent advocate for anyone charged with a crime. I’ve sat next to him in the courtroom and it is truly amazing to see him connect with a jury. He is an absolute pro.
Kamran V.
This law firm did an outstanding job for me. From start to finish, they were professional, knowledgeable, and supportive. They delivered exactly what they promised, and I couldn’t be happier with the result. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs legal help.
Thomas A.
Justin Wilson and Justin Harris were amazing. Highly recommend them.
Lybbie
I trust Justin for any legal related questions and he certainly delivers. I recommend him 100% as he is committed to you from start to end- no matter the situation.
Cristal D.
Absolutely the best team you could ask for. From start to finish, the entire office was professional, compassionate, and truly dedicated. They made me feel heard, respected, and confident during one of the most stressful times of my life. Their communication was consistent, and you can tell they genuinely care about their clients and their outcomes.
If you’re looking for a lawyer who is sharp, honest, and will fight for you like it’s personal – this is the team you want on your side. I can’t thank them enough for everything they did. They truly are the best in the business.
Natalie M.
Justin Harris was an exceptional lawyer- he is hardworking and dedicated and will reach your needs and more.
He was reliable and professional in every way. He makes sure that you are not only heard but seen. When working with Justin- it gave me strong trust that he cared and that he is a man of his word.
Highly recommend this law firm. Justin and the team handled my case with the upmost care, always kind and professional, and let me know all the details every step of the way.
Prof. Carlos R.
My first impression with Justin and Heidi was that they are a first class law firm, very professional and very open to answering questions and making a person feel appreciated. I am glad I met both at Formation in Frisco Texas.
Alex C.
I have come to know Justin and his team through my practice as a civil lawyer, and Justin has always impressed me with the way he treats his clients, and his ability to clearly explain options. He works tirelessly to be prepared for all his cases, and always treats others with professionalism and respect.
Joshua J.
Justin is a super professional lawyer with positive results. I would refer Justin to any one who needs help with anything. Justin gets it done with positive results.
Yoker V.
I highly recommend Justin 100%, the total positive experience started the moment we first spoke. Justin is a complete and total professional and a highly skilled lawyer outside and especially inside the courtroom. My case had its challenges but Justin skillfully did his research and presented the court and jury a master class. At the end of the trial the judge looked at the prosecutor and said, ” That’s how it’s done.” YLV
The first days after a family violence arrest decide more than most people realize: where you can live, who you can talk to, and the posture your case takes with the Domestic Violence Unit. Whether your case calls for a grand jury defense packet, a carefully timed affidavit of non-prosecution, a motion to modify your bond conditions, or a trial, we will tell you honestly which path fits your facts, because we have handled these cases from both sides of the courtroom. Call 214-764-5535 to schedule your free consultation with a Collin County assault family violence lawyer today.
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
| Our team is available by phone 24/7 | Office Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Tuesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Wednesday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Thursday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Friday | 8AM – 5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
