Get legal help right away if you have been charged with assault. Otherwise, if you do nothing, the prosecutor in your case will do everything they can to ensure you are convicted.
If this happens, you face severe punishments. Talk with a Lancaster assault lawyer. From here, your attorney can evaluate your case and discuss your legal options with you.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has over 30 years of experience and has provided legal services and support to more than 15,000 clients. As Ohio’s premier criminal defense law firm, we know how to contest an assault charge. Trust us to handle your legal matters.
Schedule a consultation with a Lancaster criminal defense lawyer from our team.
Why You Should Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney if You Have Been Charged with Assault
A Lancaster assault attorney goes beyond answering frequently asked questions relating to criminal cases. They ask you questions about your arrest and the circumstances surrounding it.
On top of that, they look for evidence and consider the prosecution’s body of proof. This can help your attorney establish the foundation for a strong legal defense.
It can be overwhelming to go through the legal process that follows an assault arrest. Your lawyer remains on your side every step of the way. They can identify and address legal challenges. Plus, your lawyer is accessible. If you have legal concerns at any point, your lawyer responds to them immediately.
Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt has a track record of helping those accused of assault and other crimes get outstanding case results. With our legal guidance and support, you are well-equipped to defend against an assault conviction. To learn more, contact us today.
For a free legal consultation with a assault lawyer serving Lancaster, call (614) 884-1100
Penalties If You Are Convicted of a Lancaster Assault Crime
The penalties you face if you are convicted of assault depend on the severity of your offense and other factors. Your assault lawyer in Lancaster can teach you about misdemeanor and felony penalties. They want you to understand the ramifications of a conviction so you can take the appropriate steps to avoid one.
Some assault crimes are classified as misdemeanors. For example, Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2903.13 defines simple assault as causing someone to get hurt or attempting to do so.
If you are convicted of this misdemeanor crime, you may face a maximum jail sentence of six months and a fine of up to $1,000.
Comparatively, aggravated assault is more serious than its simple counterpart. Per ORC Section 2903.12, a person may be convicted of aggravated assault if they cause a person to suffer significant physical harm or attack someone using a deadly weapon.
If convicted of this crime, you may be subject to a prison sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000.
Lancaster Assault Lawyer Near Me (614) 884-1100
How an Assault Crime Conviction Can Impact You for the Rest of Your Life
If you think an assault crime conviction is not a big deal, think again. Your conviction can affect the way others view and treat you. It can have collateral consequences that impact your life moving forward. These consequences can include:
- Difficulty landing a job
- Denial or revocation of a professional license
- Loss of the right to possess or own a firearm
- Loss of the right to vote
Rarely, wrongful convictions occur in assault cases. Or, you may have an assault conviction expunged from your criminal record. Regardless, you cannot count on either of these things happening.
Instead, partner with an attorney who has relevant experience with assault cases. With your lawyer’s help, you may get the assault charge against you reduced or dismissed.
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Legal Defenses for an Assault Crime
Choose a lawyer who has received many positive client testimonials to represent you in your assault case. This attorney knows how a prosecutor thinks and works.
They will use their legal knowledge to craft an argument that will resonate with the court and disprove the prosecution’s case. Legal defenses that your lawyer may utilize include:
Self-Defense or Defense of Others
While the police may arrest you after someone claims you assaulted them, you may have been defending yourself or others from imminent harm. Your lawyer may provide surveillance camera footage and other evidence to support their self-defense or defense of others argument.
This proof can make it tough for a prosecution to show that a conviction is warranted.
Lack of Intent
In your case, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you intended to harm someone. Your lawyer may poke holes in the prosecution’s argument and make the court question the intent behind your actions.
If there are doubts about the prosecution’s argument, they may struggle to get a conviction.
Mistaken Identity
You may be charged with assault even though you were not present at the scene when the crime allegedly took place. In this situation, your lawyer may prove to the court that you are the victim of mistaken identity. This may prompt the court to drop the case against you.
The process of getting ready for a trial can be stressful and exhausting. Thankfully, your attorney removes the guesswork from this process. They make sure you are prepared for your trial and all that it entails. If possible, they may also negotiate a plea deal, allowing you to resolve your case without a trial.
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How an Assault Plea Deal Works
Plea bargaining is common in assault cases and many others. Your lawyer can negotiate a plea deal on your behalf. They and a prosecutor may go back and forth in the hopes of coming to terms on an agreement before a trial date.
A plea agreement may not be a viable option in every assault case. Your attorney can explain plea deal negotiations. If your lawyer opens negotiations with the prosecution, they will keep you updated as these progress.
If you approve a plea deal, you may stay out of jail or prison. Alternatively, if you do not get a plea agreement that lines up with your expectations, your attorney continues to search for ways to contest your charge.
Our Criminal Defense Law Firm Represents People with a Story to Tell
At Koffel | Brininger | Nesbitt, we are all about helping people. If you have been charged with assault and have no idea how to proceed, we can put you in touch with an assault attorney in Lancaster who gives your case their full attention. Request a consultation with us.
Call or text (614) 884-1100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
