If you’ve been charged with assault and battery in Lakewood, you face significant penalties and other legal ramifications if convicted. But, you don’t have to face your case alone. With help from one of our Lakewood assault and battery attorneys, you can win your case.
Before you do anything, it’s best to get in touch with strong legal representation. The criminal defense lawyers at Simmrin Law Group are ready to help you. Don’t try to defend yourself alone. The faster you retain a lawyer, the better your chances are of proving your innocence.
Defining Assault and Battery in California
Assault is the attempted use of force or violence, whereas battery, under California Penal Code (CPC) § 242, is actually hurting someone with force or violence. Combined together, it is an action a person takes against another person or group of people with the express intent of harming them.
Simply having a heated verbal exchange or being very expressive in your anger, such as punching a wall or smashing glass, isn’t assault and battery. So, if someone’s accusing you of assault and battery when you haven’t caused or tried to cause direct harm won’t be enough to get you convicted of anything.
For a free legal consultation with an assault and battery lawyer serving Lakewood, call (310) 896-2723
Penalties for Assault and Battery in Lakewood, CA
Misdemeanor assault and battery charges typically result in:
- Jail time for six months or more
- Fine of $1,000 or more
- Criminal charges on your permanent record
Remember, this is just for misdemeanor assault and battery. If you used a deadly weapon or caused extensive psychological and bodily injury, you could face felony charges. This means you face years of jail time, significantly higher fines, and limited opportunities once you finish your prison sentence.
Most violent crimes in California get treated as a felony. A felony assault and battery charge will also count towards California’s three-strikes law. If you face felony charges, don’t wait until the last minute to get legal help from an assault and battery lawyer in Lakewood.
Lakewood Assault and Battery Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
What If I Didn’t Mean to Cause Any Harm?
There are certain instances where you get into a physical altercation with another person but still didn’t intend to cause any physical harm. For example, let’s say you pushed someone, and they fell over. You had no reason to suspect that your push would’ve resulted in a serious injury.
Another example would be if someone is making unwanted advances and you slapped them away. This slap then causes them to trip on an object and hurt their head. Once again, your slap, just like the push in the previous example, wasn’t intended to cause serious bodily harm. Therefore, both these examples wouldn’t count as assault and battery.
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What do I Do If I Get Charged With Assault and Battery in Lakewood?
If you face assault and battery charges in Lakewood, it’s critical that you follow these steps to ensure that you can defend yourself against the prosecution.
Stay Silent
When the police or the prosecution attempt to talk to you about the case, you have the right to remain silent. You don’t have to tell them anything aside from basic answers to simple questions and providing them only basic information about yourself. Sharing anything more than that can put you at risk.
The police and the prosecution are always looking for ways to try and get you to incriminate yourself. Don’t end up sabotaging your own defense and making their jobs easier. Just remain respectful and silent until you get legal representation.
Don’t Destroy or Tamper With Evidence
Even if there’s evidence out there that makes you look bad, resist the urge to hide it or destroy it. This can severely impact your chances of mounting a successful defense against your charges. Tampering with evidence only makes you look guilty, even if you’re entirely innocent. Instead, gather evidence that supports your innocence.
Contact Our Lakewood Assault and Battery Attorneys
Our attorneys are skilled in handling complex assault and battery cases. Contacting the Simmrin Law Group’s assault and battery lawyers in Lakewood to help you is the best decision you can make for your case. With years of experience on our side, we won’t let the prosecution pressure you into accepting defeat.
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Defenses Against Assault and Battery Cases
There are several ways you can defend against your assault and battery case. Most assault and battery cases use defenses such as:
- Mistaken identity
- Self-defense
- Exaggerated or false accusations
Assault and battery crimes are chaotic, and the victim of the crime may have mistaken you for someone else. If another person invades your personal property or attempts to harm you, fighting them with violence and force isn’t a crime. It’s self-defense. There are also many cases where the injuries the victim sustained are highly exaggerated, or the victim outright lied.
These are only a few ways you can defend yourself. Our lawyers will examine the context surrounding your case and ensure that your defense completely encompasses every aspect of the charges.
What Our Lakewood Assault and Battery Lawyers Can Do For You
Our Lakewood assault and battery lawyers can help you win your case by:
- Helping you gather evidence that supports your innocence.
- Reviewing all plea bargains to ensure that you get a fair deal.
- Represent you and your best interests in and out of court.
- Communicating on your behalf with all other parties.
- Consulting with various medical experts and other witnesses to provide supporting testimony on your case.
- Helping you understand the law and all the merits of your case.
Even though you can represent and defend yourself against your charges, you shouldn’t do so. Lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and above all, the resources and time to prepare the best possible defense for your assault and battery case. Never underestimate how much benefit a lawyer can bring.
Get Help With Your Assault and Battery Case Today
Assault and battery charges can leave you with serious penalties. Don’t let these penalties negatively impact your life for years to come. Allow the Simmrin Law Group to help you today. Our assault and battery attorneys in Lakewood are available 24/7. Schedule an appointment for a free consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form