Cypress, TX asked in Criminal Law for Texas

Q: If a 22 year old gets in a altercation with a 17 yrs old days before her 18th bday can she be charged in court

The 17 year old threw the first punch and assulted the 22 year old.

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3 Lawyer Answers
F. Edward (Ed) Brown
F. Edward (Ed) Brown
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Belton, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: Yes, Texas considers 17-year-olds as an adult.

Kiele Linroth Pace agrees with this answer

Grant St Julian III
Grant St Julian III
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Dallas, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: Any offensive contact can be considered an assault. The degree of the assault generally depends on the damage inflicted.

Kiele Linroth Pace agrees with this answer

Kiele Linroth Pace
Kiele Linroth Pace
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Austin, TX
  • Licensed in Texas

A: Either of them could be CHARGED with assault. If charged, the 22 year-old may have a self defense justification, subject to the conditions of Chapter 9 of the Texas Penal Code.

Frankly, and of us could be CHARGED with assaulting the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny.... but to be CONVICTED you would either have to enter a plea of guilty or no contest, or the prosecution would have to PROVE your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury.

If you are asking if the 22 year-old could be charged with a felony for "Injury to a Child" then the answer is no... the 17 year-old is too old for that.

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