457 South 10th Street, PO Box 231, Opelika, AL 36803-0231
Dean & Barrett helps clients in the Phenix City area handle cases involving Assault.
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PO Box 308, Opelika, AL 36803
When you need Assault help in Phenix City, contact Marrell J. McNeal, Attorney at Law, P.C., an established Alabama law firm.
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Assault Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
225 N Gay St, Auburn, AL 36830
Assault Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
363-A E. Glenn Ave, Auburn, AL 36830
Assault Lawyers | Opelika Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
3120 Frederick Road, Suite B, PO Drawer 2268, Opelika, AL 36803
Assault Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
PO Box 430, Auburn, AL 36831
Assault Lawyers | Opelika Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
114 N 9th St, Opelika, AL 36801
Assault Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
165 E. Magnolia Avenue, Suite 223, Auburn, AL 36830
Assault Lawyers | Auburn Office | Serving Phenix City, AL
1710 Catherine Court, Suite B, Auburn, AL 36830
Lead Counsel independently verifies Assault attorneys in Phenix City and checks their standing with Alabama bar associations.
Our Verification Process and CriteriaIf you need to defend against criminal assault charges, a Phenix City criminal assault lawyer can make all the difference. Assault charges are serious and no one should try and defend themselves without legal help.
Since an assault can be both a crime and a tort, you can be held civilly and criminally responsible. Each state has its own definition of what the crime of assault entails and normally includes the victim apprehending some sort of harmful and/or offensive contact. It can also be when there is an attempted battery, but it was not successful.
The most commonly encountered forms of assault are simple assault, aggravated assault, verbal assault and sexual assault.
Simple assault refers to any violence, or threat thereof, which does not involve the use of a deadly weapon. One example of simple assault might be a fellow patron threatening to punch you in the face over a disagreement at a bar, and another might be getting involved in the fight that follows.
Aggravated assault is a more serious form of assault, and by definition involves the use of a deadly weapon. Someone threatening to kill you while brandishing a firearm could be found guilty of aggravated assault, for example.
Sexual assault occurs when an offender, without the consent of the victim, engages in any non-consensual sexual act. A bar patron groping another guest’s breasts without their consent would constitute an act of sexual assault.
Verbal assault is as it sounds, and is typically more of a societal infraction or grounds for a civil suit rather than a criminal case. While verbal assault may be part of a simple or basic assault charge (threats of violence, if credible, do constitute assault) it is not a criminal charge in and of itself.
Assault can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony offense, based both on the jurisdiction as well as the severity of the alleged offense itself.
What was earlier described as simple assault is more commonly charged as a misdemeanor. A blow to the chest that left no lasting medical impression on the victim could be charged as a misdemeanor if the offender is a first-time offender. That being said, repeat offenders may see an instance that may have been afforded leniency by a court prosecutor escalated to a felony offense.
Instances of aggravated assault, however — even if not legally differentiated from assault or battery in a particular case — are almost always charged as felony offenses. Cutting someone with a knife, shooting someone with a gun or any other instance of serious physical violence which results in non-superficial bodily harm are instances in which felony charges are likely.
It should also be noted that assault and battery are commonly conflated, and some jurisdictions do not differentiate between the two. In jurisdictions that do delineate the two charges, battery typically requires that physical contact is actually made between the offender and victim during the offense, while assault does not require this element.
There are several different degrees of assault. Assault with intent to murder can result in imprisonment for a period of up to 20 years if convicted, while assault with a dangerous weapon can be penalized by up to 10 years behind bars. Simple assault can result in fines as well as a jail sentence of up to one year.
Many state courts treat assault under a difference of degrees. In some states, for example, an assault can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, as a Class D felony or as a Class B felony. If you are charged a misdemeanor, you could be penalized with a fine, a jail sentence and probation for years. A Class D felony conviction could lead to incarceration, while a Class B felony conviction can result in a sentence of between three to 25 years imprisonment.
If you are facing assault charges, whether felony or misdemeanor and at the state or federal level, it is highly advisable that you secure the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Assault charges are taken quite seriously by courts, and a conviction will result not only in potential incarceration, hefty fines and restitution but also a criminal record. A skilled lawyer can help you navigate the options available to you and craft the best defense possible.
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.
If you need to defend against criminal assault charges, a Phenix City criminal assault lawyer can make all the difference. Assault charges are serious and no one should try and defend themselves without 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.
An experienced lawyer should be able to communicate a basic “road map” on how to proceed. The lawyer should be able to walk you through the anticipated process, key considerations, and potential pitfalls to avoid. Once you’ve laid out the facts of your situation to the lawyer, he/she should be able to frame expectations and likely scenarios to help you understand your legal issue.
A reputable attorney will be very upfront about how he/she will charge you. The three most common fee structures that attorneys use to charge for their services are:
Depending on your specific legal situation, it’s possible that only one type of fee structure is available. For instance, criminal defense attorneys almost always bill by the hour. In a flat fee arrangement, an attorney accepts a one-time payment to help you resolve your issue. With a contingent fee agreement, the client pays little to nothing upfront and the attorney receives a percentage of the money recovered if you win your case.
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.