Assault is a serious form of criminal offense that can lead to felony charges. The penalties and sentences for assault cases vary from state to state. People with a first-time offense might get some leniency in the cases compared to someone with a previous criminal history or the severity of the case. An assault is a threat of bodily harm, which does not necessarily have to be physical contact, but the victim believes it is a credible threat. Some assaults can be aggravated assaults that involve intentional physical harm to the victim. In case you are dealing with assault charges, hire a lawyer immediately.
A lawyer can help in dealing with assault charges in the following ways:
Expert knowledge of the law: Criminal attorneys possess a degree in law and know the in’s and out’s of the criminal justice system. They have studied at law school and trained to understand criminal law and legal procedures. The expert knowledge that they have gained helps them defend you and determine any inconsistencies in the case that will help your case. With years of experience in the field, they are familiar with the prosecutors and judges, which will help them build the case in a favorable way for the client.
Psychological support: Facing assault charges can be stressful and confusing for you and your family. Your children might feel embarrassed about you and stop talking to you. Your relatives might cut ties with your family. This can be a lot for the defendant to take in. A lawyer provides a lot of emotional strength to the client and their families. They take a rational approach throughout the case.
Access to important resources: Criminal cases often involve witness testimonies. Witnesses often feel safe and comfortable talking about the case with the lawyer for the upcoming testimony. The lawyer also hires expert witnesses and gathers evidence from the forensic teams to build a strong case. Such access to important resources is key to winning a case.
Expert negotiator: Criminal lawyers are expert negotiators. They have many years of experience negotiating cases. They will advise you from the beginning on how to put yourself in a position for plea negotiations. This will give them the scope to reduce your sentence or penalties.
All state and federal government laws consider assault a crime. The seriousness of the case determines if the assault charge was a felony or misdemeanor. Misdemeanors normally lead to imprisonment of less than one year, whereas a felony leads to a jail term of more than 12 months. Therefore, to assess this serious situation and guide you through the assault charges, get in touch with your nearest assault lawyer.
