what kind of lawyer would i need for an assault and battery arraignment

by Andres Macejkovic Jr. 3 min read

Full Answer

What does a civil assault and battery lawyer do?

A civil assault and battery lawyer helps victims sue for money damages from the assailant. Use FindLaw to hire a local civil assault and battery lawyer to get compensation for medical expenses, emotional distress, or pain and suffering.

Do I need a lawyer for an assault charge?

Regardless of the circumstances that prompted assault charges against you, it is always in your best interests to retain an attorney who has a track record with defending those accused of assault. Your freedom could be at stake - connect with an attorney immediately when you are charged with assault.

What to do if you are a victim of assault and battery?

If you were the victim of assault or battery, it’s important that you consult with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. A Morgan & Morgan attorney may be able to help you recover financial compensation for your hardship. Assault and battery are often conflated.

What constitutes assault/battery?

In most states, an assault/battery is committed when one person: 1) tries to or does physically strike another, or 2) acts in a threatening manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. Many states have a separate category for " aggravated " assault/battery when severe injury or the use of a deadly weapon are involved.

What are three required elements of offer battery assault?

Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the offense of assault can be committed by one of three ways – offer, attempt, or by battery. An assault by offer places another person in reasonable apprehension of force.

What is the penalty for assault in Michigan?

Penalties for a Michigan Assault Conviction Assault without a dangerous weapon is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. Aggravated assault and battery is a felony, punishable by up to 1 year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Is battery a felony in Michigan?

Laws Ann. § § 750.81c, 771.2.) Felony situations. Simple assault or simple assault and battery against certain other victims is classified as a felony, even if no significant injury occurs, and is punishable by up to two years in prison.

What is the penalty for simple assault in North Carolina?

Simple assault is a class 2 misdemeanor under North Carolina General Statute 14-33(a). The maximum punishment is 60 days incarceration and the potential of up to a $1,000 fine.

What is considered assault and battery in Michigan?

A Michigan Assault and Battery charge (called a “Michigan A&B charge” for short) is when someone allegedly “assaults or assaults and batters” another person. Under Michigan law, a Battery is a touching of another person or something closely connected with them that is “forceful, violent, or offensive” in nature.

What happens if you are accused of assault?

Depending on the type of assault you've been accused of, you may be facing jail time, community service, or fines. In some cases, you may need to attend anger management classes. Talk with your attorney about possible consequences so that you can mentally prepare yourself.

What is an assault and battery charge?

In most states, an assault or battery is committed when one person physically strikes or attempts to physically strike another, or when they act in a threatening manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. It is important to note that intent is a necessary element of these crimes.

What is difference between assault and battery?

Assault is the attempt to commit battery. Battery includes intentional application of force to another person without any lawful justification. This done to cause harm to a person.

Can you go to jail for punching someone in the face?

Punching or striking another person is considered a crime of battery. In the case of punching someone, it's likely to be classified as either simple battery, which is a misdemeanour, or aggravated battery, which is a felony crime.

Is assault a felony in NC?

Misdemeanor Assault and Battery Charges in North Carolina Are Serious Offenses. Assault and battery are types of crimes involving violence against another person and can be a misdemeanor or felony offense. In North Carolina, you can be charged with assault without even touching someone.

Can simple assault be expunged in NC?

Can assault be expunged in NC? Charges involving violence such as assault can be expunged if the charge results in a dismissal or not guilty verdict. Assault convictions for those over age 18 on the date of offense are not eligible per statute.

Is battery a felony?

Battery can be a felony. A prosecutor can charge the crime as either a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the facts of the case, the extent of the victim's injuries, and the defendant's criminal history. Most jurisdictions say that battery is a felony offense if it rises to the level of an aggravated battery.

How to contact a lawyer if you have been charged with assault?

Have you recently been arrested for assault or battery? You need legal representation! If you’ve been charged with assault and/or battery, please call 1-800-ATTORNEY (288-6763) for expert and timely legal help. The call is free, and we have attorneys on standby ready to give you expert legal advice on the next steps you should take.

What is assault and battery?

Assault and battery are criminal charges that carry serious legal consequences which can affect you for the rest of your life. Because of this, you want to make sure you get the best legal representation there is in order to have these charges defended, pleaded down, or dropped altogether.

How do assault and battery differ?

Assault and battery differ from each other in a number of ways. Assault is defined as issuing the threat of violence against an individual without taking physical action (e.g., pushing, punching, slapping, using a weapon). Battery, on the other hand, is an actual physical act that results in that harmful or offensive contact.

Why do you do self defense?

Perhaps, you did it because you were protecting yourself from a person who was a primary aggressor (self-defense), were protecting others, or were preventing a crime from taking place. These types of charges often carry hefty sentences and consequences.

Is assault a crime?

Aggravated assault and battery are considered serious crimes of moral turpitude, whose charges and pun ishments hinge on several key factors. As someone facing this kind of criminal charge, you may have a valid reason regarding why you acted in the manner that you allegedly did. Perhaps, you did it because you were protecting yourself from a person who was a primary aggressor (self-defense), were protecting others, or were preventing a crime from taking place.

Is aggravated assault a felony?

Aggravated Assault – This refers to the act of attempting to physically attack another person resulting in serious bodily harm, and/or is made with a deadly or dangerous weapon. In most cases, aggravated assault is considered a State Jail Felony.

Is simple assault a misdemeanor?

Simple Assault – This refers to a basic form of infringing upon the safety of an individual where no physical contact occurs. While simple assault is often a misdemeanor offense, verbal assaults which carry threats of violence can enhance your charge and carry a hefty prison sentence.

What happens to the victims of assault and battery?

Sadly, the victims of assault and battery often suffer severe injuries that saddle them with not only extreme physical anguish and hefty medical bills, but also significant emotional trauma.

What is the difference between assault and battery?

Assault: An assault occurs when one person threatens or intimidates another person. The transgressor doesn’t need to act — the victim simply needs to feel an imminent threat. Battery: Battery takes place when one person physically harms another person.

Can you file a civil suit against a battery victim?

Assault & Battery. Assault and battery are distinct but related offenses that can cause severe trauma for the victim. Although these acts often lead to criminal proceedings, it’s also possible to file a civil suit against the defendant. If you were the victim of assault or battery, it’s important that you consult with a personal injury lawyer ...

Is assault and battery a civil case?

Assault and Battery Personal Injury Claims. Although assault and battery are often subject to criminal liability, the civil court system can also oversee these cases. Whereas in criminal court the defendant may be found guilty and face jail time, civil lawsuits offer victims a potential path to financial compensation.

What to do if you are charged with assault?

Contact a defense lawyer If you’ve been charged or arrested for assault. No matter what the degree of the assault, you need a competent, experienced defense lawyer who can launch an aggressive defense on your behalf.

What is assault and battery?

We’ve all heard the term ‘assault & battery’ on television and movies. It may conjure up images of a couple of guys having a fistfight in a bar, or a domestic abuse incident. Both are examples of assault and battery; however, in some cases, assault charges can much more serious.

What is domestic battery charge?

In a case of domestic assault & battery, where both parties reside in the same household, or if there is a familial relationship between the parties, a domestic battery charge is used, regardless of the relationship between parties.

What is aggravated battery in Missouri?

In Missouri, an aggravated battery charge requires the use of a weapon. The degree of severity and penalties varies. You need an experienced defense lawyer when facing an aggravated battery charge. In Kansas, battery is the only offense where physical contact is almost always required; however, Kansas law does not distinguish between regular and aggravated battery.

When an action is carried out with the intent to injure against another person, and a weapon is used,

When an action is carried out with the intent to injure against another person, and a weapon is used, it constitutes an assault with a dangerous weapon charge. The prosecution must prove not only that a defendant used a dangerous weapon, but must also prove that the defendant had the specific intent to inflict physical harm on the victim. If the harm was caused by accident, as long as the defendant was acting in a lawful manner, then there was no intent.

What is battery in Missouri?

Missouri and Kansas are similar regarding what constitutes battery, which is basically an intentional act that causes someone to be in fear of physical harm. Making verbal threats, hitting someone with an object or a weapon, or making threatening gestures toward a person, is assault. It becomes battery when physical contact occurs and results in actual harm. Touching another person in an aggressive or inappropriate way is considered to be battery.

What is an assault battery?

In most states, an assault/battery is committed when one person: 1) tries to or does physically strike another, or 2) acts in a threatening manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. Many states have a separate category for " aggravated " assault/battery when severe injury or the use of a deadly weapon are involved.

What does "you're under arrest for assault and battery" mean?

We've all heard the phrase on TV or in movies: "You're under arrest for assault and battery." The commonly heard phrase conjures up images of bar fights and parking lot brawls. But what are the legal definitions of the crimes? Did you know there are two separate legal terms of art at play: assault is one and battery is the other? The terms are actually two separate legal concepts with distinct elements. Some states split them up while others combine the offenses.

What is the difference between assault and battery?

Indeed, generally the main distinction between an assault and a battery is that no contact is necessary for an assault, whereas an offensive or illegal contact must occur for a battery.

What is battery offense?

Although the statutes defining battery will vary by jurisdiction, a typical definition for battery is the intentional offensive or harmful touching of another person without their consent. Under this general definition, a battery offense requires all of the following: no consent from the victim.

What is the act requirement for battery?

Battery: Act Requirement. The criminal act required for battery boils down to an offensive or harmful contact. This can range anywhere from the obvious battery where a physical attack such as a punch or kick is involved, to even minimal contact in some cases.

What is the intent requirement for assault?

Assault: Intent Requirement. In order commit an assault an individual need only have " general intent .". What this means is that although someone can't accidentally assault another person, it is enough to show that an offender intended the actions which make up an assault.

Is assault and battery the same offense?

However, the basic concepts underlying the offense remain the same. Assault and Battery Defenses.

What is a criminal lawyer?

Criminal lawyers are attorneys who defend individuals and organizations against government charges in federal and state courts. Criminal lawyers understand the rules around arrest, arraignment, bail, pleas, proof, and related issues. Some of the most common crimes requiring criminal lawyers include homicide, sexual battery and assault.

Why do people go to bankruptcy lawyers?

Some of the most common reasons a person seeks out a bankruptcy lawyer are for medical debt, mortgage foreclosure, and credit card debt. No matter what kind of legal issue you’re facing, there are lawyers who can handle your case, and finding the right one is essential to your peace of mind.

What are the types of employment law cases?

Some of the most common types of cases handled by employment lawyers are contracts, wrongful termination, workplace harassment, retaliation, and workplace discrimination.

What is a workers compensation lawyer?

Workers’ compensation lawyers specialize in helping workers navigate the unique laws that apply to people who have been injured on the job. A workers’ compensation lawyer typically has a large number of cases to manage, each with its own deadlines, so look for a firm using a modern cloud-based law firm management system. The Department of Labor administers four major disability compensation programs.

What is IP attorney?

Intellectual property attorneys (“IP attorneys”) help companies, artists, and inventors with legal issues concerning copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and the like. IP attorneys spend a lot of time working with clients to help them avoid infringing upon the rights of others and making sure that their intellectual property is properly protected under the law.

What does an immigration lawyer do?

Immigration lawyers help immigrants, and employers seeking to hire them, with legal issues related to the status of immigrants and their families. Immigration lawyers help with visas, green cards, citizenship, and asylum and refugee status. Immigration laws change constantly, so it’s important to consult an experienced attorney in these situations.

What is a civil litigator?

The general term “civil litigator” refers to an attorney who represents clients in civil (not criminal) court, either as plaintiff or defendant. The most common kinds of civil litigation involve contract ...

What are assault charges?

Assault Charges. Assault charges can stem from a variety of different circumstances, including: A road rage incident. A fight in a bar. A dispute with a neighbor. Domestic violence. A simple misunderstanding that develops into a physical altercation.

Is assault a misdemeanor?

Assault. Depending on where you live, and on the specific circumstances of your case, an assault charge can be a misdemeanor or a felony. Many people do not realize it, but a charge of simple assault can be turned into assault with a dangerous weapon or felonious assault based on just a few small things. The difference between being charged ...

What are the rules for arraignment?

For instance, some states allow counsel to be present; require defendants to be informed of certain constitutional rights; and/or decide on bail amounts (or whether the defendant must be remanded until trial).

What happens if a defendant is convicted of a crime?

If a criminal defendant faces the possibility of jail time if convicted for the crime (s) charged, the defendant has a constitutional right to the assistance of an attorney, or "counsel." If the defendant wishes to be represented by an attorney but can't afford to hire one, a government-appointed attorney will be assigned at no cost to the defendant.

What is the first stage of a criminal case?

Arraignment is the first stage of courtroom-based criminal proceedings, after the arrest, booking, and initial bail phases. During a typical arraignment, a person charged with a crime is called before a criminal court judge, who: Announces dates of future proceedings in the case, such as the preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions, and trial.

What is the first step in the criminal justice process?

This step in the criminal justice process is called an arraignment and differs according to the laws of your state. Some states combine this step with the bail hearing but it's typically conducted ...

Is there a bail hearing after bail is determined?

Some states combine this step with the bail hearing but it's typically conducted after bail is determined . Although the process and rules may differ in your jurisdiction, the following provides a general overview of what to expect at your arraignment.