If you’ve recently been charged with assault, you’ll need the help of a professional criminal defense lawyer to help you with your case. With their help, you will be able to understand the case being built against you and help you develop the proper defenses to help you resolve or reduce your charges. If your case goes to trial, having a professional lawyer with extensive experience will be an asset to you.
Before understanding what to do when you have been charged with assault, it’s important to know about the legal aspects of being charged with assault. If you have been charged with assault, contact Killham Law Office for legal advice and a free consultation.
Types of Assault
There are a variety of assault types that you could be charged with. It’s important to understand which type of assault you’ve been charged with so you may discuss it with your attorney.
- Felonious assault – an attack that is done through force and violence and causes serious physical injury to another person.
- Misdemeanor assault – when weapons are not used but the person has caused minor physical harm.
- Aggravated assault – involves the use of a weapon or increased force.
- Sexual assault – when the victim is forced against their and the result is rape, molestation, sodomy, or similar sexual offense.
- Verbal assault – non-physical and oral abuse that can cause emotional, mental, and psychological damage.
For more extensive information on different types of assault charges in Arizona, visit these links here to read about the official laws, A.R.S. §13-1203 (Assault) & A.R.S. § 13-1204 (Aggravated Assault).
Consequences of Criminal Assault
Consequences of criminal assault range depending on the severity of the charge. It’s important to contact a lawyer to discuss the future of your case. Some of the consequences you may face when charged with assault are:
- Prison time
- Extreme probation
- Parole
- Fines
- Loss of the right to own weapons
- Anger management programs
Some of these consequences may be dismissed or reduced with the help of a lawyer. It’s important to contact your criminal defense attorney to discuss your options and the potential outcomes of your case. If you are facing an assault charge, it’s important to act now.
Contact Killham Law Office at 623-239-0886 to get a consultation and legal advice on your case.
Steps of a Criminal Trial
If your charge does make it to trial, you should spend some time with your lawyer discussing the full process of a criminal charge and how it will apply to your case. Trials can be very lengthy and very time consuming, but your lawyer will work with you to make sure it is handled as best as possible.
The steps for a criminal trial are below:
- Choosing a Jury (depending on the severity of the charge)
- Opening Statements
- Witness Testimony and Cross-Examination
- Closing Arguments
- Jury Instruction
- Jury Deliberation and Announcement of Verdict
For more details on the steps of a criminal trial, contact Killham Law Office.
What’s the First Step After Being Charged?
Finding a reliable and professional lawyer to help you fight your case will be the first step in fighting your charge. Many will try to fight their charge on their own and without the help of a lawyer. In some rare cases, this can be an option, but there are many advantages to having a lawyer when you have been charged with assault.
An experienced lawyer will analyze all aspects of your charges and help build a strong defense to assist in a trial, reducing your charges or dismissing the charges outright.
Remain Silent and Stay Off Social Media
It is within your rights to remain silent until you have had the chance to contact a lawyer. When the police arrive to the site of the assault, it is important to be respectful to police. If you feel compelled to justify the assault, it is best to stay silent until you have a lawyer. Anything you say could and in most cases, WILL be used against you when the prosecutors are building a case.
If you frequently use social media, it is best to remain silent on social media or even deactivate your account. It can be tempting to share your side of the assault on social media. Those building a case against you may be able to use any information you have on your social media to justify your intent to commit a crime.
Refrain From Talking To Others About the Incident
In many cases, we want to discuss the incident with people we know or divulge what happened to others to get their support. However, this may be something that comes back to negatively impact you in the courtroom. People you talk to about the incident with can be used as witnesses testifying against you in the courtroom.
If you need to talk with anyone about the nature of your assault charge, you should discuss any and all issues or questions with your criminal defense attorney.
Avoid Other Conflicts
Once you have been charged with assault, it’s important to remain on your best behavior. Any other conflicts you take part in can be used against you in the courtroom. Keeping a low profile and going about your daily life will be the most helpful to you in having a positive outcome in your case.
With that said, it is important to keep a distance from any other parties that are involved or may be involved in your case. In most cases, a judge will order that you not have any contact with the victim. If this means removing them from your contacts, social media accounts, and avoiding places you know they frequent, this would prove very helpful to your case.
Which Criminal Defense Lawyer Should I Call in Arizona?
Laura J. Killham has over 20 years of experience and expertise in the field of law. Over a decade of her experience was in the prosecutorial realm. Her understanding of the prosecutor’s thought processes and tactics will give you an advantage in the courtroom and assist in attaining a more positive outcome.
Contact Killham Law Office below to get started on your case.
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