If you have been accused of assault, it can feel overwhelming. You may have a lot of questions, and your future may seem in jeopardy. You are right to be concerned. Assault is a serious charge with the potential for major fines and jail time. But there is hope.
You must understand your charges and their ramifications, then choose the right steps toward reducing their impact on your life. A Downey assault lawyer can help you protect your civil rights, ensure a fair legal outcome, and fight for your future.
At Simmrin Law Group, our Downey criminal defense lawyers have decades of legal experience advocating for people like you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and tell us your story.
How a Downey Assault Lawyer Can Help
The job of the prosecutor is to secure convictions, and many of them are very good at it. If you have been arrested for a violent crime like assault, they are going to do what they can to punish you, a person who they view as a dangerous criminal.
However, even the best prosecutors make mistakes, and when they get it wrong, innocent people go to jail. Don’t try to face the California justice system on your own. An assault attorney in Downey can defend your civil rights and make sure the legal process remains fair.
Don’t take chances with your future. Here are some ways a skilled lawyer can help.
Provide Legal Guidance
We can explain the charges you are facing, advise on the best way to proceed, and help you understand what to expect throughout the legal proceedings. While the decisions are always yours, our decades of legal experience can help guide you in the right direction.
Investigate Your Case
We will thoroughly investigate your case and determine what happened. We will not take the police’s word for it. We may talk to witnesses, review security footage, and access incident reports. Understanding your case will allow us to put together the best defense strategy.
Resolve Your Case
Depending on the circumstances of your case, it may play out in many different ways. While we can never promise anything, we may be able to get your charges dropped. We can argue for reduced charges or negotiate a plea deal.
Or, we can take it to court to prove your innocence and work for your acquittal. We’ve tried over 100 jury trials, and we aren’t afraid of a fight.
Protect Your Rights
As your legal representatives, we are ethically bound to defend you to the best of our ability. We will defend your rights and ensure that the court remembers your presumption of innocence, no matter what you are accused of.
For a free legal consultation with an assault lawyer serving Downey, call (310) 896-2723
Understanding Assault in California
Assault is a charge most people have heard of, but few understand. If you are confused about why you have been charged with assault, your Downey assault lawyer can better help you understand your charges and discuss defense potential strategies.
Simple Assault
According to California Penal Code § 240, assault is the unlawful attempt, along with a present ability, to inflict violent injury on another person. Note that assault only requires the attempt to cause harm. Actual harm does not need to occur for an assault charge.
Simple assault is a misdemeanor, and if convicted, you can face penalties of a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both. If you have been accused of assault, no matter how minor, it is a good idea to consult with an attorney.
Aggravated Assault
When simple assault rises in severity, it becomes aggravated assault. This can occur when a weapon is involved, the victim belongs to a specific protected class, or the assault is linked to child endangerment or domestic violence.
Aggravated assault is a wobbler offense, which means it may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Your attorney may be able to argue for reduced charges if you are charged with felony assault. In its most serious forms, felony assault can mean extensive fines and years in prison.
Battery
Assault and battery are often misunderstood as one term, but battery is a separate charge. Where assault involves the attempt of violence, battery is the unlawful use of force or violence against another person. People often face both charges when an alleged attack occurs.
Like assault, there are various degrees of battery, the more serious involving the infliction of major injuries or the use of a weapon. If you are accused of battery, it is important to consult with an attorney.
Downey Assault Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Defenses Against Assault
After gaining a thorough understanding of your case, your attorney may form a defense strategy. Some of the more common and effective defenses for assault include:
- Self-defense: Your actions were in response to a legitimate threat, and you felt the need to protect yourself.
- Defense of others: In some cases, it is lawful to step in and defend another person who is in immediate danger.
- Lack of intent: You had no intent to cause harm, and perhaps the alleged victim misunderstood your actions.
- Lack of ability: No matter your sentiments toward the alleged victim, if you had no reasonable ability to carry out harm, that may be enough to beat your assault charge.
- False accusation: Sometimes violence happens in chaotic circumstances, and the victim may have identified the wrong person.
- Established alibi: If you can prove you were somewhere else when the assault happened, there is a strong chance you will win your case.
Click to contact our Downey Criminal Defense Lawyers today
Connect with a Downey Assault Attorney
In California, assault is a very serious violent crime, and prosecutors may seek maximum penalties. That means fines, jail time, and a major disruption to your life. It is especially hard to take when events have been blown out of proportion, or you’re accused of something you didn’t do.
Don’t try to take on the California criminal justice system alone. A Downey assault attorney can help you understand your rights and choose an effective strategy to fight your charges. You are innocent until proven guilty, and we’ll make sure the court remembers that.
When you are accused of a violent crime like assault, you need an experienced law firm. Attorney Michael Simmrin has tried over 100 jury trials. Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form