Get Legal Support for Assault Charges
Assault is one of the top ten most charged offenses in Arizona, classified under either assault and aggravated assault, with each coming with its own penalties. If you’re facing either type of charge, it’s important to consult a skilled Phoenix aggravated assault attorney so you can understand the severity of your penalties and your available legal options.
Our Phoenix assault attorneys at JacksonWhite will work to obtain the best resolution for your case using their advanced legal expertise. By advocating for your rights and building a strong defense, our award-winning team may be able to get your charges or penalties reduced, protect your reputation, and even get your charges dismissed.
Differences Between Assault and Aggravated Assault
Assault charges in Arizona are classified under either simple assault or aggravated assault. The type of charge depends on the severity of the action and whether other aggravated circumstances were involved.
Simple assault, covered under A.R.S. 13-1203, involves an individual intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing illegal physical harm or unwanted physical contact with another person. However, assault does not have to involve physical injury in order to be considered assault—unwanted physical contact that results in distress is enough for a charge.
Meanwhile, aggravated assault, covered under A.R.S. 13-1204, involves the use of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument or an act that causes serious physical injury. An assault charge may also be considered aggravated assault if the act is carried out against a protected class, such as a law enforcement officer or public transportation employee.
Other circumstances that justify aggravated assault include the following:
- assault causes physical disfigurement
- an assault victim is bound or restrained
- an adult assaults a minor 15 years or younger
- one enters a private home to commit assault
- a police officer, firefighter or other officers are assaulted
A simple assault charge is typically a misdemeanor charge, while an aggravated assault charge is usually classified as a felony.
Regardless of which charge you are facing, it helps to have an attorney who can help you understand the difference and build an appropriate defense. Our aggravated assault attorneys here at JacksonWhite are ready to support you in fighting back against your charges.
Aggravated Assault Penalties in Arizona
Because assault and aggravated assault cover such a wide range of circumstances, the penalties you can expect depend on your specific case. In minor cases of assault, you may face a few months in jail, while a more severe case can result in years in prison.
In general, you can expect the following consequences:
- For mild cases, assault charges can result in a misdemeanor charge with anything from a maximum of 30 days to four months in jail.
- In an aggravated assault case, you may face a class 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 felony that can range from four months in jail up to 35 years of imprisonment, especially in the most severe cases.
Other factors that can influence the consequences you might receive include your criminal history, the severity of the assault, and the well-being of the victim. If you have been convicted of assault or aggravated assault in the past, you will likely experience much harsher penalties.
To understand the charges and penalties you may be facing, you should consult an experienced Phoenix aggravated assault attorney as soon as possible. Our team at JacksonWhite will provide a free initial case review to help you understand your charges and determine the best legal strategy to combat them.
How A Phoenix Aggravated Assault Lawyer Can Help You
An experienced Phoenix aggravated assault lawyer is a crucial form of support if you’re facing assault charges. A lawyer will help you navigate the legal system, understand your rights, and build a strong defense that increases your chances of avoiding the harshest legal penalties.
The defense lawyers at JacksonWhite are extremely familiar with all types of assault cases in Arizona. From first-time misdemeanor assault charges to complex aggravated assault cases for repeat offenders, our lawyers have consistently obtained positive results for our assault clients.
We’ll take all the following steps to support you in your case:
- Legal Analysis – We will work with you to gather a full understanding of the facts and context of your case so we can determine the best path forward.
- Defense Strategy – Using our understanding of your case, we’ll begin formulating a defense strategy that maximizes your chances of avoiding the harshest penalties.
- Evidence Gathering – We begin gathering evidence, like witness testimony or security footage, to understand all the facts of the case and find potential holes in the prosecution’s argument.
- Negotiation – We will negotiate with the prosecution to advocate for a plea bargain in exchange for reduced charges and penalties.
- Pre-Trial Motions – We’ll file any necessary pre-trial motions to suppress evidence or dismiss charges and protect your rights throughout the case.
- Court Representation – We will represent you in all court hearings and trials in order to present your defense and ensure you understand your rights.
- Sentencing Advocacy – Even if your case ends in a conviction, we will work to advocate for a reduced sentence that involves the lowest possible penalties.
At JacksonWhite, we’re focused on your future. Our forward-thinking approach gives us high success rates and offers you the chance to minimize the impact of your charges. We begin every case with a free initial consultation so we can understand the details of your charges and how we can best support you with a defense. Contact us to get started.
Common Defense Strategies
If you’ve been charged with aggravated assault in Arizona, there are several strategies we may be able to use in your defense. To build the best possible defense, it’s crucial to have an experienced aggravated assault attorney in your corner. Our team at JacksonWhite Law will use our experience to craft a personalized defense based on the details of your case.
Our team may be able to use some of the following defenses in your favor:
- Self-Defense – In cases where the alleged physical assault was an action of self-defense against an aggressor, we can advocate for reduced or dropped charges.
- Defense of Others – If a physical altercation can be proven to be carried out in order to defend other parties, then this can lead to a potential reduction in charges.
- Lack of Intent – If you did not intend to cause harm or injury to another person, then our attorneys can use this as a defense for reduced charges.
- Mistaken Identity – In a circumstance where the prosecution team has identified the wrong individual as the perpetrator, we’ll gather evidence to prove this is the case and get your charges dropped.
- Insufficient Evidence – In the event that the prosecution does not provide sufficient evidence to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, then we will use this to advocate for dropped charges.
- Alibi – If you were not present at the scene of the crime, we will use this in your defense to get the charges against you dropped.
The best possible defense depends on your unique case. When you schedule your free initial consultation with us, we’ll gather all the details and facts surrounding your case so that we can begin building a defense strategy with the potential to reduce your charges as quickly as possible.
What Outcomes Can You Expect if You Hire JacksonWhite Law?
Depending on your case and the strength of your defense, there are a variety of potential outcomes you may experience. To maximize your chances of the best possible result, it’s essential that you work with an experienced aggravated assault attorney. Here at JacksonWhite, we work tirelessly to advocate for our clients and pursue an outcome that reduces your risk of penalties.
Through this process, our attorneys may be able to help you pursue some of the following outcomes:
- Reduced Charges – Depending on the nature of the assault, we may be able to get your charges reduced to a lesser offense, like simple assault or disorderly conduct.
- Case Dismissal – In cases where the prosecution has limited evidence, or there are procedural concerns with your case proceedings, we may be able to get your case completely dismissed.
- Plea Bargain – Our attorneys will negotiate with the prosecution team to achieve a plea deal that results in less severe consequences for you.
- Acquittal – With a strong defense, we may be able to achieve a not-guilty verdict in your trial.
- Sentence Mitigation – Even if you are convicted of the crime, we may be able to get your sentencing reduced, such as advocating for probation or community service instead of jail time.
- Expungement – If you have previously been convicted of an aggravated assault charge, our attorneys can help you pursue an expungement to clear your record.
The potential outcomes for your case will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding your charges. When you schedule a consultation with our aggravated assault attorneys here at JacksonWhite, we will gather an understanding of the details of your case in order to explore all the legal avenues available to you.
Our Previous Case Results
At JacksonWhite Law, our Criminal Law team has decades of combined experience in defending clients against harsh charges. Using this experience, we’ve brought about success in combating assault charges for many clients.
Some of the successes we have achieved include:
- In a case involving one count of disorderly conduct and one count of assault, our attorneys got the case dismissed, with our client’s punishment reduced to paying a fine and writing an apology letter.
- In a case involving one count of juvenile assault and reckless injury, we got the case completely dismissed.
Our attorneys are well-versed in navigating the court system and pushing back against a harsh prosecution team to get charges reduced. Every case is different, but with a free initial consultation, we can learn more about your case and the legal options available to promote the best possible outcome.
Talk to Our Criminal Lawyers for Free – With No Obligation
If you’re facing an aggravated assault charge in Arizona, the support of an experienced attorney is invaluable. A skilled aggravated assault attorney can help you combat your charges and may be able to help you get them reduced or even dropped. Our Phoenix assault lawyers at JacksonWhite support clients throughout all of Arizona in building a strong defense.
When you’re ready to learn more about the best approach to your assault case, call the valley’s leading defense team at JacksonWhite Law. We offer our clients a free initial consultation—during your free case review, our attorneys can explain which legal options may be best for you and what steps we can take to get started. You’ll have a much better idea of what you can expect to face in court and how we can make the experience as painless as possible.
Call the JacksonWhite Criminal Law team at (480) 571-0398 to discuss your case today.
