Downey Assault Lawyer
Assault Charges are Serious
Assault is an unlawful attempt to commit a violent injury on another. Frequently, this charge is coupled with the offense of "battery" to form one crime, assault and battery. Battery is the unlawful and willful use of force or violence against a person. According to California law, the person accused of assault must have had the ability to violently injure another person in order for this offense to be prosecuted.
The exact crime you are charged with depends on the circumstances surrounding the incident. A simple assault violation is a misdemeanor, with penalties of up to $1,000 in fines and a maximum of 6 months in jail. Simple battery can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on how the court decides it should be prosecuted. Potentially you can be fined up to $2,000 and serve up to 6 months in jail if you are convicted of this offense. Assault with a deadly weapon, other than a firearm, will be punished as a felony which can result in 4 years in a state prison and fines of up to $10,000. Assault with a firearm, a felony, carries with it the same penalties as assault with a deadly weapon.
If you are charged with any of these crimes, it is vital to have an experienced Downey criminal defense attorney from Law Office of James Mendez to protect your rights and freedoms. Conviction on assault charges can change your future and that of your family. Attorney Mendez wants you to have the best defense possible.
Criminal Attorney in Downey: Assault
Assault charges all have circumstances in which the penalties can be elevated. If the offense was committed, for instance, against a driver of public transportation or on school grounds, the sentencing can be harsher. These crimes may also fall under California's "three strikes" law which can mean a sentence of life in state prison or increased sentencing.
Our practice is devoted solely to criminal defense and Attorney Mendez offers honest, practical and insightful legal advice based on his success in resolving thousands of criminal cases.
Please contact a Downey assault lawyer for experienced legal advice when you are charged with the crime of assault.