Aggravated Assault
Washington, D.C. Criminal Defense Attorneys
A
simple assault conviction can be considerably damaging to your freedom, finances, reputation.
An aggravated assault charge is not only more devastating to your wellbeing
but also more common due to the legal definition of what can constitute
an aggravated, or
felony,
assault.
Your assault charge will be escalated if it was committed with the intent to:
- Murder the victim
- Maim or seriously injure the victim
- Use a dangerous weapon
- Commit another violent crime, such as rape
Whether or not you actually lay a finger on someone is somewhat irrelevant
to your aggravated assault charges. You can be charged with this serious
crime merely for “having the intent” to commit it. If you
have been arrested for aggravated assault, you should
contact our Washington, D.C. criminal defense lawyers from
Hunter & Johnson, PLLC right away.
Start your defense now by calling our criminal lawyers in Washington, D.C.
at 202.759.7929.
Details Regarding Serious Bodily Injuries
One of the main components of an aggravated assault charge, and therefore
of the prosecution’s case against you, is the term “serious
bodily injury.” If the harm experienced by the alleged victim is
not significant, an aggravated assault conviction should be impossible;
if anything, you would instead face a simple assault charge with much
lower sentencing.
Seriously bodily injury is constituted by the presence of or intent to cause:
- Death
- Unconsciousness
- Extreme physical pain
- Disfigurement
- Debilitation of a limb or bodily function
Any wound or ailment that requires immediate medical attention can also
be considered a significant bodily injury and garner an aggravated assault
charge. Using any sort of poison is also considered to be an aggravated
form of assault.
Penalties for Aggravated Assault in D.C.
The District of Columbia has a fairly well-known record of resorting to
incredibly harsh criminal penalties to deter crime within the nation’s
capital. For this reason and many more, you must do all you can to protect
yourself from an aggravated assault accusation.
If you are convicted of aggravated assault, you could be penalized with:
- 10 years in prison
- $25,000 fine
Penalties are reduced by 50% for convictions for
attempting aggravated assault but not actually completing it. Regardless of the potential
penalties you are facing, you need to start working on your
criminal defense case as soon as you can.
Request a
case consultation with our
Washington, D.C. assault lawyers today.