Terms
Assault
There are over 800,000 assaults reported in the U.S. every year. There are different types of assaults that can occur, but an assault is defined as the threat or attempt to strike another, whether being successful or not, provided the target is aware of the danger. The FBI defined a felonious assault as the unlawful attack or attempt to attack through force or violence to cause physical injury to another. A felonious assault can be the result of weapons or through the use of hands, fists, or feet. Regardless of if an injury results from a felonious attack if there was a weapon used it is classified as a felonious assault. If a weapon was not used during the assault but serious injury resulted from the assault by the use of hands, fists, or feet, it is classified as a felonious assault.
Assault and battery is a type of felonious assault. An incident that has had actual contact and resulted in the need for medical treatment is considered assault and battery. A simple assault is when a weapon is not used and the injuries caused by the assault are only minor.
The FBI's Uniform Crime Report has a crime hierarchy they use to rank violent crimes like assaults. A felonious assault ranks fourth on the FBI's hierarchy, though the number of felonious assaults is thought widely underestimated. The committed assault can be against anyone and may have resulted from an escalated argument or feud. It is important to speak with an assault attorney if you have been accused of committing an assault to ensure your rights are being protected.
Consequences of assault crimes can be imprisonment, probation or parole, fines, loss of right to possess weapons, and anger management classes to name a few. Based on if the offender of the assault crime has a prior history of assault crimes, as well as any other prior convictions, is on current probation or parole, as well as many other variables will affect the resulting consequences of the assault crime penalty if convicted.
Not all instances of assault are clear-cut, which is why an assault attorney is so important. Some assault crimes may have had instances of varying factors. An assault may have been committed due to self-defense or defending another person or property, as well as many other factors. A qualified assault attorney will be able to provide early preparation, if contacted early enough, as well as complete a through investigation and provide an aggressive defense to help eliminate the assault crime case or to minimize the assault crime sentence.
If you are interested in learning more about assault, please contact us to speak with a qualified and experienced criminal defense attorney who can assess your case to determine how best to protect and maximize your legal interests.
Related Assault News
Feb 6, 2008 - Harsher Penalties Proposed for Assault Weapons Crimes
Jan 16, 2008 - Man Acquitted of Assault Sues City
Feb 13, 2007 - 10-Year-Old Girl Arrested For Attacking Woman in Store
All of your criminal, DUI, DWI, OUI lawyer needs in one place!
Let us help you locate an attorney. Use the form to find a criminal law attorney in your area.
Law Offices of Grech & Firetag
Serving Southern California for over 30 years, the Law Offices of Grech & Firetag have earned a reputation of being competent and providing personal attention to every case.
Call Toll Free - (888) 529-5632
