Caucasian male arrested and with handcuffs
A criminal conviction shouldn’t be a life-long sentence, but it often ends up that way. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, even one conviction can derail a career. Convicted individuals make far less than their peers over their lifetimes.
What’s more, you could face even more consequences if you’re convicted of a felony.
If you were recently charged with an assault-related crime, then you need to get informed ASAP. You need to understand exactly what charges you’re facing and how to secure the best lawyer.
Read on to learn more about the different types of assault and battery charges.
1. Simple Assault
In legal terms, simple assault is an intentional act. It makes another person afraid that you’ll hurt them.
Simple assault is by far the least severe crime that we’ll go over in this list.
That’s because actual violence or physical injuries aren’t required to get convicted. Simple assault charges could get levied even if no act is ever committed. The intentional attempt to cause harm is enough.
Simple assault is willful and intentional. It makes another person afraid of getting hurt. It also causes harm, whether that’s physical or emotional, to the victim.
2. Simple Battery
In contrast, simple battery happens when an actual act of violence occurs. The other party gets hurt due to this unlawful use of force. Unlike assault, intent does not matter. If harm occurred, then you can get convicted of battery.
3. Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is a more serious type of assault. This type of assault involves aggravating factors like:
- Extreme disregard for human life
- Serious bodily injury
- Committing the crime in front of a minor
- Previous convictions
This crime is often levied as a felony. With that in mind, contact an assault defense attorney if you’re facing these charges.
4. Aggravated Assault With a Deadly Weapon
If you used a deadly weapon, then you could face these very specific charges. Firearms, knives, explosives, and more are all considered ‘inherently’ deadly. If one was present during your incident, then you could face these charges.
5. Battery Against a Protected Class
Further, there are specific assault crimes for protected classes. You could face harsher sentences if the alleged victim was:
- A minor
- An elderly person
- A police officer
- An emergency worker
The best law offices can help you secure a better legal outcome in these situations. Contact a lawyer if you’re facing a charge against one of these protected individuals.
Types of Assault and Battery Charges
Assault and battery are two very different crimes. Further, each distinction makes a huge difference when it comes to potential penalties. Assault with a deadly weapon, for instance, is much more serious than simple assault.
Now that you understand more about the charges you’re facing, it’s time to contact a law firm for help. The best attorney will help you develop a good defense strategy.
Whatever you do, don’t try to rely on yourself to defend yourself.
Are you looking for more important information to help you get through 2022? If so, then we’ve got your back. Keep browsing through our blog now to see more of our best articles.
Leave a Reply