May 2006

The Arlington Police Department’s stance on public fights

Fights in public are a threat to public safety. As officers work with community leaders to prevent these fights and resolve this community issue, we are taking a maximum-enforcement and zero-tolerance approach with all the individuals involved.  

Fights are violent criminal acts that could result in people being injured or even killed. Having either adults or children condone fighting by watching it in person, recording it, and purchasing or viewing a DVD of the fights sends the wrong message about what is acceptable behavior. Crime is not an acceptable form of entertainment and it will not be tolerated. 

People who engage in, promote, and/or watch fights in public could be arrested for and charged with several offenses, depending on their participation. Some of the offenses include:

• Aggravated assault
• Assault
• Fighting in public
• Engaging in organized crime
• Criminal mischief
• Cameras, cell phones and other video recording devices used to record fights could be seized as evidence.
• Texas law allows those identified as “active spectators” to be charged as “accomplices” for fighting in public.
• The above offenses are criminal charges. Victims, property owners and others could also pursue civil charges against suspects and their families in civil courts.

Texas law classifies the above offenses as either felony or misdemeanor crimes, depending on the facts of each case. Punishments for violating these laws are as follows:  

A First Degree Felony is punishable by five to 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A Second Degree Felony is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A Third Degree Felony is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
A State Jail Felony is punishable by up to two years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.
A Class A Misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail, a $4,000 fine, or both.
A Class B Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a $2,000 fine, or both.
A Class C Misdemeanor is punishable by a fine up to $500.