For the person facing assault, it is stressful and traumatic. Assault or battery occurs when a person physically attacks or attempts to attack another person or when they behave in a threatening manner with another person or harm them. If you accidentally knock someone over, it is not considered assault. Intentional harm is the key element here. In legal terms, assault means threatening behavior or actions that lead to “battery.” “Battery” is when a person intentionally causes bodily harm to another person or makes aggressive physical contact that is demeaning to another. Battery is also called “aggravated assault.”
Everything you need to know about assault charges:
Simple assault: Simple assault is the least serious offense compared to assault and battery as they do not involve serious injury. In some states, it is also called a “Misdemeanor assault.” Such assaults are committed when a person’s actions are intended to create fear in the victim but do not involve any form of physical contact. It can lead to serious consequences that might affect the mental well-being of the victim, personal life, and professional life. A conviction for such assault is not serious but can be considered in future criminal charges. Also, multiple simple assaults can lead to felony charges.
2nd-degree aggravated assault: This is a serious crime. An aggravated assault is committed when an individual causes serious injuries to another or puts the victim’s life in danger. A case will be called an aggravated assault if the person’s injury is life-threatening, they have been maimed or wounded, changed their face like a huge scar on the face, leads to permanent disfigurement, leads to permanent disability, etc. These assaults are considered serious felony charges and can lead to imprisonment from two to twenty years along with a fine, depending on the seriousness of the assault.
Sexual assault: This is the most common form of assault. Sexual assaults occur when a person touches you inappropriately without your permission or rapes you. This assault can be very traumatic for the victim, and they might not get the courage to open up about it.
1st-degree aggravated assault: This is the highest form of a felony charge and is committed using a deadly weapon and causing serious bodily harm to the victim. Such assaults can lead to convictions from 5 years to 99 years, along with a huge sum of fines.
If you are charged with assault, the first step is to get legal help immediately. The attorney will determine if what you are charged with is assault. Through their expertise and skills, they will help you in reducing your sentence or eliminating it.