Avondale Assault Attorney
The act of injuring, threatening, or placing a person in imminent fear of harm is all considered assault. It is a criminal offense that carries the potential for jail time, fines, and other consequences. Facing these allegations can be daunting, but a dedicated criminal defense attorney could help you face the prosecution and win.
When you have been arrested on these charges, there is no time to delay. The sooner your legal team is in place, the more likely you are to develop a successful strategy. An Avondale assault lawyer can assist you every step of the way – call the Grand Canyon Law Group NOW to get the help you need.
For a free legal consultation with an assault lawyer serving Avondale, call 480-400-5555
THE ELEMENTS OF THE ASSAULT
Like with any offense, the state is required to prove certain elements to secure a conviction for assault. There are different options available to the prosecution, who only need to make a case for one of them.
First, a prosecutor could earn a conviction if they can show the accused acted in a way that caused a bodily injury to another person. A conviction is possible even if these injuries are minor.
Second, assault happens when a person threatens someone else with imminent bodily harm. This offense can involve any kind of physical contact or touching if the intent was to provoke, insult, or harm the alleged victim.
Getting a guilty verdict requires the state to prove more than one of the factors above occurred and that the accused person had the necessary intention. Assault is a crime of intent, meaning a person cannot commit the offense on accident.
There are three different intents that could qualify: knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally acting in a way that violates the statute. That means a person could be guilty if they knew they were going to cause harm or should have known there was a high risk of an assault occurring from their conduct.
Because there are so many ways to commit this offense, there are also multiple options for defense strategies as well. Finding the best approach to these allegations is not always simple. That is why relying on the experience of an assault lawyer in Avondale can be so valuable. We have former prosecutors on our team who understand how the state will try to win its case.
Avondale Assault Lawyer Near Me 480-400-5555
SIMPLE AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
The most serious of these charges is known as aggravated assault. This offense carries steeper potential penalties, but proving assault requires additional evidence that go beyond the basic elements of simple assault.
To be found guilty of the aggravated version, the state must not only meet the elements of the underlying offense but also show that at least one of 11 additional factors is present. These aggravating circumstances are outlined at Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1204, and some examples include the following:
- Causing serious physical injury
- Using a deadly weapon
- Assaulting a police officer
- Committing the offense in a victim’s residence
- Causing disfigurement or impairment
- When the victim is restrained
The state has a higher burden when it comes to proving aggravated charges. That said, they could still secure a conviction if there is enough evidence of underlying offense. An assault lawyer in Avondale can argue that aggravating factors were not present, or that a crime never occurred in the first place.
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CALL AN ASSAULT ATTORNEY IN AVONDALE TODAY
Given the complexity of assault cases and the potential severity of the consequences, effective defense strategies are crucial. An experienced assault lawyer in Avondale can explore various defense approaches tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. These strategies may involve challenging the prosecution’s evidence, disputing the presence of aggravating factors, or arguing that no crime occurred at all. With former prosecutors on the Grand Canyon Law Group team, skilled defense attorneys possess invaluable insight into how the state builds its case, enabling them to mount robust defenses on behalf of their clients. Contact us today.
Call or text 480-400-5555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form