When you are charged with a violent crime like assault, you can expect to face the full force of the California justice system. It can be very intimidating, especially if you are accused of something you didn’t do or if the accusations don’t reflect what really happened.
It can seem like a hopeless situation, but it doesn’t have to be. You need someone to help you understand your charges and stand up for your rights. You need an Arcadia assault lawyer on your side.
At Simmrin Law Group, our Arcadia criminal defense lawyers have decades of experience fighting for people in your situation. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and find out what we can do for you.
What is Assault?
In California, assault is defined as the unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury to another person. Depending on your charges, penalties can be minor or extremely severe.
This means you don’t need to harm someone to face an assault charge. You just need to attempt to injure them and have the ability to do so. If you are confused about why you were charged with assault, this may be why.
Simple Assault
Simple assault is a misdemeanor that can result in penalties of a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail. If you are accused of simple assault, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible, even if you know you are innocent.
Aggravated Assault
With simple assault, there can be confusion regarding the intent of an alleged assailant’s actions. With aggravated assault, the introduction of a weapon or other factors makes things more clear.
There are various types of aggravated assault in California, such as assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a firearm, assault with caustic chemicals, and assault on a peace officer. Aggravated assault can be charged as a felony in many cases.
Battery
Battery is a charge that often accompanies assault charges. Where assault is the attempt to commit a violent act, battery is willfully touching someone with force, even if it doesn’t cause injury.
Battery charges can make assault charges harder to fight. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t beat both charges. It is important to contact a skilled assault attorney in Arcadia who understands the law and can defend your rights.
Like assault, there are various forms of battery, including simple battery, aggravated battery, and domestic battery. If convicted of battery, you can face serious fines and prison time.
For a free legal consultation with an assault lawyer serving Arcadia, call (310) 896-2723
Do You Need a Lawyer if You are Accused of Assault?
It is smart to contact an Arcadia assault attorney as soon as possible after your arrest. We can advise you on how to handle police interviews and how to plead, and we can ensure that your civil rights are not violated during the legal process.
We’ll investigate your case to understand what happened. Then, we’ll devise a legal strategy for your defense and do what we can to have the charges reduced or dropped altogether. If or when the time comes, we will defend you in court.
Public defenders are fine attorneys. Unfortunately, they don’t have the time and resources to devote to your case as we do. When your future is on the line, you want a law firm with a track record of success that has the will and ability to fight for you.
Arcadia Assault Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Possible Defenses Against Assault Charges
It is natural to feel frustrated if you have been in a physical confrontation with another person where they were the aggressor you are accused of assault. It is even worse when you had nothing to do with the incident, and now you are facing assault charges.
It is important to remember that you enjoy the presumption of innocence no matter what you have been charged with. The prosecution has the burden of proving that you committed the crime. Your Arcadia assault lawyer may use several defenses.
Self-Defense
If you were attacked, threatened, or had a reasonable belief that you were in danger, it makes sense that you would act to defend yourself. This can be an effective defense against assault charges, especially if it is your word against the accusers.
Defense of Others
If you thought the accuser intended to harm another person, your actions may be justified if you stepped in to protect someone. There are several key issues for your lawyer to address, such as if your assessment of the threat was accurate and you responded appropriately.
Lack of Intent
Intent to commit an injury is a key component of assault. If you can prove that your actions lacked intent to harm, you may have a defense against your charges. This could be due to the accuser’s misunderstanding of your actions.
Consent
Alleged assaults with no witnesses often come down to your word against the accuser’s, and it is possible to find yourself blamed for something you didn’t do. If you can prove you had consent to touch or interact with the other person, you may have a solid defense.
False Accusations
If you’ve been hit with an assault accusation out of the blue, your accuser may have fabricated a story as some form of attack against you. Your lawyer can help you establish an alibi for your whereabouts and address false accusations directly.
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Get Help from an Arcadia Assault Lawyer
Facing criminal charges for a violent crime will make anyone nervous. If you are accused of assault, you may be looking at serious fines and prison time. You’d like to think the justice system will ensure your fair treatment, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
With an Aracadia assault attorney in your corner, you have someone looking out for your best interests and standing up for your civil rights. We’ve helped thousands of other people in your situation, and we can help you, too.
At Simmrin Law Group, we have decades of legal experience. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and tell us your story.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form