Santa Ana Aggravated Assault Lawyer

What is aggravated assault?

An aggravated assault charge can come about if you attempt to strike or cause harm to another using a deadly weapon or by any means likely to produce great bodily injury. You do not have to actually physically hurt a person to be charged with and convicted of this crime; the threat is enough. The actual harming of someone is considered battery and is a separate offense.

A deadly weapon can include such items as guns, knives, metal pipes, bats and the like. While a brick, tool, etc., are not considered deadly on their own, the use of such items in an assault may cause serious injury or death to the victim and so may be considered a deadly weapon. If the victim can be seriously injured by the threatened force, a weapon is not a necessary component of the offense and an individual can still be charged with aggravated assault. A serious injury could include broken bones, loss of a limb, internal injuries or any injury that is permanent or requires long-term medical treatment.

As a knowledgeable Santa Ana criminal defense attorney, Mr. Schaffer can go over the details of your case, answer any questions you may have concerning the offense you have been charged with and let you know what actions can be taken to effectively defend you against them.

Penalties for Assault Charges

Penalties for being found guilty of an aggravated assault can include probation, restitution, up to a year in the county jail (for a misdemeanor) or 2 - 4 years in state prison (if charged as a felony) and a fine of up to $10,000. While the laws and penalties for violating them are necessary in our society, it is a common occurrence for someone to accuse another of assault with little or no reason to do so. A simple assault may have been exaggerated way out of proportion to the facts of the case which could lead to unjust penalties being applied to you.

We have 18 years of experience practicing in the area of criminal law. We urge you to retain our services so that you know your rights, they are being protected and a strong defense is in place to help put your future in the best position possible.

Contact a Santa Ana aggravated assault lawyer for hard-hitting defensive strategies against the assault charge you now face.