Assault and Battery

Assault and Battery Attorney in Arizona

If you’re facing an assault charge, you probably have many questions and concerns – you don’t want it to harm your reputation, damage your employment options, or deter future opportunities. Assault and battery charges can be serious, and may result in fines and even jail time. This may be intimidating, and the legal process often seems confusing, leaving defendants feeling vulnerable.

Fighting such charges in Arizona is a process best guided by an attorney with knowledge of Arizona criminal defense. The Mesa, AZ criminal defense lawyers at Rowley Chapman & Barney, Ltd. have extensive experience representing clients against assault charges, so give us a call at (480)833-2341 or contact us online today for help understanding your charges and minimizing the consequences.

What is Assault & Battery?

Assault and battery are terms that are often used in the media to describe a physical attack by one person on another. Arizona statutes do not use the term battery, but only uses the term assault to describe the different levels of physical attack or even fear of physical attack. In Arizona, assaults or “simple assaults” are misdemeanors. Felony assaults are called aggravated assaults.

Simple Assault – misdemeanors

Simple assaults include causing any physical injury to another person, intentionally making another person fearful or apprehensive of immediate or imminent physical injury, or touching another person intending to injure, insult or provoke that person. Under Arizona law, physical injury can include something minor as a red mark.

Aggravated Assault

A person can commit aggravated assault by committing a simple assault as described above AND something else being present that makes it “aggravated.” This can include causing significant or serious injury, the use or presence of a gun or a weapon, the status of the person who was allegedly assaulted (such as a minor, a police officer, a firefighter, a teacher, a health care worker, or even a prosecutor or public defender).

What Are the Consequences of Assault and Aggravated Assault?

The consequences related to assault vary; depending on the type of assault they range from minor fines to years behind bars. Misdemeanor charges of simple assault may range from fines between $500 to $2,500 and maximum sentence of up to six months in jail. Felony charges of aggravated assault may result in up to 20 years of prison time. The law surrounding aggravated assault charges in Arizona relies on a wide variety of factors as outlined in ARS 13-1204. The ultimate result can vary depending on the facts of the case and the presence of mitigating factors. Understanding these factors and how they may affect the outcome of your trial can be a complex process.

How Do I Fight an Assault Charge?

Assault and aggravated assault charges and the defenses to these charges, such as self defense, are extremely complex. If you believe that you were wrongly accused or charged with assault, were defending yourself or another person, or that the charges against you do not accurately represent the facts of the case you should consider fighting the charges. This could result in an outright dismissal or at least may help reduce your penalties under the law. You should not bear the burden of guilt unless the state can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The best way to fight an assault charge is by contacting a lawyer with experience representing individuals charged with assault in criminal court. A competent attorney will not only understand the laws, he or she will also have a strong track record of successfully representing individuals facing simple or aggravated assault charges.

Legal Help for Mesa Assault Charges

The criminal defense lawyers at Rowley Chapman & Barney, Ltd. have extensive experience in defending those charged with assault and aggravated assault. We understand the arguments and defenses which can help you if you’ve been charged with these crimes, or with any other criminal defense matters.

If you have been arrested call us first! We are available 24/7