Assault Attorney in Gilbert, AZ

Protecting the Legal Rights of Clients Charged with Felony or Misdemeanor Assault

Facing assault charges in Arizona can be a scary experience, especially if this is your first time dealing with the criminal justice system. While it’s certainly normal to worry about the possibility of going to jail, just remember that you don’t have to deal with your charges alone. You can contact a skilled assault lawyer in Gilbert, AZ for legal advice before your first court date, which should allow you to get some peace of mind when you think about your criminal defense case.

The legal team at The Turner Law Firm PLLC has successfully represented countless clients facing serious charges in Gilbert, Arizona. So if you’ve been accused of assault, battery, or another violent crime that comes with severe penalties upon conviction, it’s essential that you reach out to our law offices for legal support. Call today to schedule an initial consultation with a caring attorney.

How Does Arizona Law Define Assault?

It’s helpful to know what your criminal charge means before you and your attorney begin strategizing the most suitable defense angle for your case. Arizona law defines assault as an act that does the following:

• Knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causes physical injury to someone else
• Intentionally causes someone to fear imminent physically injury
• Intends to injure, provoke, or insult someone by knowingly touching them

While assault often results in bodily injury for the victim, you can be charged with this crime even if no injuries occurred. If your actions caused the alleged victim reasonable fear of injury, you could be arrested for this offense. Your specific charge will depend on your actions and their effect on the victim.

Simple assault is a misdemeanor offense that usually involves either minor injuries or the threat of harm. For example, if you verbally threatened to hurt someone and gave them reason to believe you’d follow through – such as by raising your fist to them – you could be charged with simple assault. The same is true if you made light physical contact with the victim or recklessly caused a minor injury.

On the other hand, aggravated assault is a felony charge since certain aggravating factors make it a more serious offense. You might be charged with felony aggravated assault if you caused serious physical injury to the victim or used a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument during the alleged assault. You can also be charged with felony assault for injuring a protected victim, such as a peace officer, police officer, medical professional, or prison guard.

If you’re not sure if your charge is considered a misdemeanor or felony offense in Gilbert, Arizona, you should contact our law offices to speak with criminal defense attorneys about your case. Our legal team understands the concerns you likely have regarding your assault charges, since a conviction can lead to jail time and other penalties. We’re eager to provide you with reassurance and clarity when it comes to your case, so call our Gilbert, AZ law offices today.

What Are the Penalties for an Arizona Assault Conviction?

Assault charges can result in serious consequences if you’re convicted of this crime. Of course, the penalties will depend on whether you’re facing felony or misdemeanor charges, as well as whether this is your first offense.  A skilled Gilbert assault attorney will let you know which penalties will apply to your case, but you can get an idea of the typical legal consequences while you wait for your consultation.

If you’re convicted of simple assault in Gilbert, Arizona, your punishment could include up to six months in jail and up to $2,500 in fines. You might also be required to take anger management courses and perform several hours of community service in or around Gilbert, AZ before your sentence is complete.

If you’re convicted of aggravated assault in Arizona, your penalties will depend on the felony class your crime falls into. In some cases, aggravated assault is a Class 6 felony, which can lead to one to two years of prison time. Your prison sentence could be longer if you have a prior conviction for assault on your criminal record.

If you’re convicted of a Class 2 felony, your penalties will be even more severe. This might occur if the offense caused the victim serious physical injury or substantial disfigurement. You might also face Class 2 felony assault charges if you used a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, the victim was under 15, or you allegedly physically restrained the victim before harming them.

Regardless of how exactly the alleged assault occurred, you could be sentenced to 7 to 21 years of prison time if convicted of your Arizona aggravated assault charge. You will also likely be required to pay owe thousands of dollars in fines, take anger management classes, and perform community service. Additionally, with a felony criminal conviction on your record, you might struggle to find a job or housing or exercise your constitutional rights.

If you’re concerned about the severe penalties you face for your assault charges in Gilbert, Arizona, it’s time to talk to an assault and battery lawyer about your legal options. The right criminal defense attorney for your case will create a defense strategy that allows you to avoid or reduce the penalties that come with assault and aggravated assault charges in Arizona. Call our Gilbert law offices today to learn more.

How Can an Arizona Attorney Defend You from Assault Charges ?

An experienced criminal defense attorney can build a strong defense against the assault charges you’re facing. They will typically need to discuss your case with you to determine the right defense strategy based on the circumstances. The following are some defenses that your attorney might consider for your assault and battery case in Gilbert, Arizona:

• Self-defense: Arizona law allows individuals to use physical force to protect themselves if they have a reasonable belief that they are in imminent danger, though you must demonstrate that the force you used was necessary and proportional to the threat
• Defense of others: Similar to self-defense, this defense strategy might apply if you can prove you used force to protect someone else from harm when the assault occurred
• Lack of intent: To prove you’re guilty of assault beyond a reasonable doubt, the prosecution team must establish that you acted intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, so your attorney might focus on making this difficult for them
• Consent: If the victim consented to the conduct – such as during a consensual fight – your attorney could argue this to get the charges dropped or reduced
• Mistaken identity: If your lawyer can prove you were not at the scene of the alleged assault, you could win your assault and battery case
• Violation of rights: Some assault investigations find that the rights of the accused were ignored, such as the right to remain silent or get legal representation, resulting in the charges being dropped or reduced

Whether you’re charged with simple or aggravated assault in Arizona, an experienced lawyer can create an effective defense strategy for you once they fully understand the details the assault involved. If you’re ready to learn more about how our team can assist with your assault case, call our Gilbert, AZ law offices today for a consultation.

Why Should You Hire an Assault Attorney in Gilbert?

If you were accused of committing assault in Arizona, hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting jail time. An experienced attorney understands state law when it comes to assault, battery, and other serious charges, so they can defend you as you head to court in Gilbert, AZ.

You can trust AZ lawyers to know how to evaluate the details of your situation to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. At that point, they can interview witnesses, request police reports, and collect evidence refuting the charges. When necessary, Gilbert, AZ lawyers can negotiate plea deals to reduce charges and penalties or represent you in court if your assault case ends in a criminal trial.

If you want to learn more about how an assault and battery attorney from our firm can handle assault investigations for clients throughout Gilbert, AZ, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation. We’e eager to defend you from simple and aggravated assault charges, so call our Gilbert, AZ law offices today at 480-568-5590 to discuss your case.