Source: https://www.matthoraklaw.com/criminal-defense/domestic-violence/continuous-family-violence/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 22:57:50+00:00

Document:
Texas Penal Code § 25.11 was created to enhance the penalties to a third-degree felony when it is alleged that a person assaults one or more of his/her family members, household members, or a person with whom he/she has a dating relationship, two or more times within a 12 month period.
If you are charged with any act of domestic violence you should understand that the penalties can be enhanced. The charges are serious. Contact Matt Horak, experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss the best ways to mount an aggressive defense to the charges of continuous family violence in the greater Houston area, Harris County, and the surrounding areas including The Woodlands in Montgomery County, Texas.
A person commits an offense if, during a period that is 12 months or less in duration, the person two or more times engages in conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 22.01(a)(1) against another person or persons whose relationship to or association with the defendant is described by Section 71.0021(b), 71.003, or 71.005, Family Code.
Section 22.01(a)(1) of the Penal Code, Assault, provides that “[a] person commits an offense if the person ... intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another.” Id. § 22.01(a)(1).
The relationships covered by the statute include a husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, parents of children, blood relatives, and even individuals in a dating relationship.
Under section 71.0021(b) of the Family Code, a “dating relationship” as “a relationship between individuals who have or have had a continuing relationship of a romantic or intimate nature.” Tex. Fam.Code Ann. § 71.0021(b) (West 2008 & Supp.2013).
the frequency and type of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship.
A charge of continuous violence against the family is a felony of the third degree. A felony of the third degree is punishable by incarceration for two to ten years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and a fine of no more than $10.000.
A defendant may not be charged with more than one count under Subsection (a) if all of the specific conduct that is alleged to have been engaged in is alleged to have been committed against a single victim or members of the same household, as defined by Section 71.005, Family Code.Tex. Penal Code § 25.11(d).
Thus the court concluded that under section 25.11 the allowable unit of prosecution for double jeopardy purposes is a series of at least two bodily-injury assaults committed within a certain 12–months–or–less period against a single victim in a dating relationship with appellant. See id. § 25.11(d). Id.
Additionally, under the statutory scheme of section 25.11, only one punishment is intended “in cases of continuous family violence where the specific underlying acts of bodily injury assault upon which the defendant was convicted occurred against the same victim and within the same period the continuous family violence occurred.” Id. (citing § 25.11(c)).
Matt Horak represents clients charged with domestic assault, domestic violence and family violence crimes throughout the Houston Texas area, including Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Galveston, Liberty, and Waller counties. With offices in Houston and The Woodlands, call Horak Law today at (713) 225-8000 or toll-free at (800) 225-8009 to set up a consultation and discuss the specific facts of your case.
Although any allegation of assault in a domestic violence case is serious, the possible penalties and punishments are even more serious after repeated allegations have been made. An experienced Houston criminal defense lawyer can fight to have criminal charges reduced or dismissed.

References: § 25
 § 22
 § 71
 § 25
 § 25
 § 25