Statesville Assault Lawyer

Statesville Assault Attorney

While the legal definition of assault varies by jurisdiction, in North Carolina assault is typically defined as an act of physical violence that results in injury to another or an attempt to commit physical violence with the intent to do harm to another person. Regardless of the definition, prosecutors take assault charges seriously and will seek harsh consequences in an effort to avoid future offenses. For a chance at receiving a lighter sentence, consider hiring a Statesville assault lawyer.

Assault charges not only impact a person’s freedoms, reputation and employment, but violent crimes can also affect divorce and child custody proceedings, making them far more complex and challenging. If you are convicted on assault charges in North Carolina, you may even lose your right to purchase firearms.

We Handle All Types Of Assault In North Carolina

In North Carolina, assault charges are broken down into three separate categories:

• Assault — the attempt to commit bodily harm or the use of verbal or physical threats to intimidate another
• Assault on a female — an assault by a man over 18 years of age on a female
• Assault and battery — battery signifies that the threats were followed with actual physical violence and bodily harm
• Public fighting (affray) — involves physical or verbal altercations between two or more people

While assault and battery are typically linked together, they are actually two different offenses. Assault involves the uninvited and unwelcome touching of another person or a threat to harm them. Battery involves the act of touching them, even including something that they are holding. Acts such as punching, shoving, or throwing something at someone are all examples of battery.

The main difference between assault and battery is that an assault charge does not involve physical contact. Battery charges, however, do involve physical contact. Assault involves simply threatening to harm someone, but battery is actually causing physical harm to another person. Even though these are two different offenses, North Carolina law considers both charges as assault.

Both assault and battery charges can fall under misdemeanors or felonies. Whether your charge is a misdemeanor or a felony depends on your case’s circumstances. The more severe the assault crimes, the more likely you are to be charged with a felony.

If you’re facing a misdemeanor charge for assault in Statesville, Griffin Law, PLLC, can help you understand your rights, options and what defense strategy will result in the best possible outcome.

The Benefits Of Working With Our Skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer

For the past 19 years, attorney Jonathan D. Griffin has earned a strong reputation throughout Iredell County for securing positive outcomes for clients from all walks of life no matter what criminal charges have been levied against them. He understands the criminal code inside and out and which defensive strategies work best for his clients.

Our law firm looks into all potential options, which means no quick plea deals or rushes to court unless we are absolutely sure it is the best course of action.

If you are not currently charged with an offense but have older criminal charges on your record, you may want to have them expunged. For help with understanding the expungement process, consult a lawyer.

FAQs

Q: How Long Do You Go to Jail for Simple Assault in NC?

A: For simple assault in North Carolina, you will typically go to jail for around a month if it is your first offense. Occasionally, for your first offense, you may be put on probation. If, however, you have committed this offense before, you may face more jail time and higher fines if you are convicted.

Q: Is Assault a Felony in NC?

A: Assault can be considered a felony in North Carolina. However, the type of charge depends on the type of assault committed. Assault can also be charged as a misdemeanor. Some misdemeanors include simple assault, using a deadly weapon without intending to kill, or sexual battery. When assault inflicts serious injuries on someone, then it can become a felony charge. This also includes strangling, using a deadly weapon while intending to kill, or causing serious injuries with a weapon.

Q: What Is the Punishment for Assault on a Female in NC?

A: The punishment for assault on a female in North Carolina depends on the circumstances of the offense. It is a Class A1 misdemeanor if it is committed by a male who is at least 18 years old. Because assault on a female by a male is classified differently, the penalties can be more serious, as it is charged at the most severe level of misdemeanors. Aside from other penalties, you may also face jail time.

Q: What Is the Sentence for Assault by Pointing a Gun in NC?

A: The sentence for assault by pointing a gun in North Carolina is a Class A1 misdemeanor. This type of crime is considered a specific intent crime, as the action of pointing a gun is done intentionally. According to North Carolina law, it does not matter if the gun in question was loaded or not, nor if it was pointed at someone else in a joking manner.

Talk To Us Today

There is no time like now to address the charges against you. If you would like to learn more about how to protect your rights and future from damaging violent crime offenses, we encourage you to contact our law firm. We offer free initial consultations with our experienced attorney at Statesville office. Call our office in Statesville at 704-873-5500, or contact us online to get started.