Top Alabaster, AL Aggravated Battery Lawyers Near You

Have You Been Charged With Aggravated Battery?

An aggravated battery criminal offense is a more serious version of battery and imposes a more severe sentence if you are convicted. Contact an Alabaster a aggravated battery defense attorney today to protect your legal rights and receive the best representation available.

The Difference Between Battery and Aggravated Battery

The unlawful physical contact with another person is a battery. Examples include punching someone in the nose or engaging in a bar fight. Battery can be simple or aggravated. A simple battery is generally considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine and less than one year in jail. An aggravated battery is considered a more serious offense. It is a felony, and its punishments are accordingly more severe. To aggravate a charge of battery the perpetrator must use a deadly weapon, inflict serious bodily harm, or batter a child or officer of the law.

Best Time to Seek Legal Help

No matter what your legal issue may be, it is always best to seek legal help early in the process. An attorney can help secure what is likely to be the best possible outcome for your situation and avoid both unnecessary complications or errors.

Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation

• Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
• Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
• Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
• Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.

Does firm size matter?

For most consumer legal issues, the size of the practice is much less important than the experience, competence, and reputation of the attorney(s) handling your case. Among the most important factors when choosing an attorney are your comfort level with the attorney or practice and the attorney’s track record in bringing about quick, successful resolutions to cases similar to yours.

Common legal terms explained

Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.

Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.

Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.