Simple Assault

A simple assault charge can lead to significant consequences, including large fines and considerable jail time. It is essential to dedicate your resources and effort toward building a robust defense against these accusations.

Things to Know About Simple Assault

To build a strong defense, it’s helpful to understand the details of this charge.

Understanding the Classification

Simple assault is a misdemeanor offense designed to protect people from physical harm. This charge applies to offenses committed against individuals, not property.

Elements of Simple Assault

You may be charged with simple assault if you intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to another person. For instance, if you get into a physical fight and punch someone during a dispute, this action is typically considered simple assault. A Steubenville criminal lawyer can help clarify the specifics of your case.

Expanded Boundaries

An action intended to cause harm can result in a simple assault charge, even if no injury occurs. For example, trying to stab someone with a knife, whether you succeed or not, is classified as simple assault.

Negligence with a Deadly Weapon

Simple assault charges can also arise from situations where negligence with a deadly weapon leads to another person’s injury.

Threats and Intimidation

Any threatening behavior that implies an intent to cause injury is also considered simple assault.

Concealed Needle Incidents

If you hide or deliberately stick a hypodermic needle into an arresting officer, jail staff, or a county hospital employee, you could face a simple assault charge.

It is important to understand that a simple assault charge does not always mean an injury was caused. In certain situations, you might be charged with menacing instead. Also, false accusations made out of personal spite may not be successful in court, but you will still have an arrest on your record that needs to be addressed. Understanding these nuances can help you navigate the legal system and work toward a positive outcome. If you are facing charges, a Steubenville DUI attorney can provide crucial guidance.

What Are Misdemeanor Degrees and What Do They Mean?

Grasping the meaning of misdemeanor degrees is vital for legal clarity. Simple assault charges are categorized into different degrees, each with its own set of penalties. For example, if you are over 21 and the person you allegedly assaulted is under 12, the charge may be elevated to a first-degree misdemeanor.

If a fight occurs with mutual consent, the charge might be a third-degree misdemeanor. In Steubenville, the penalties for these charges can range from one to five years in prison, depending on the degree of the offense. Consulting with a Steubenville criminal lawyer can help you understand the specific degree you are facing and its potential consequences.

What Do I Do If I Am Charged With Simple Assault?

If you are facing a simple assault charge, it is highly advisable to seek guidance from a Steubenville criminal defense lawyer. Providing all the relevant details to your attorney allows them to conduct a thorough analysis of your case. Your legal counsel will review several key factors, including:

• Assessing Intent: Was the action accidental, or was it carried out with clear knowledge, recklessness, or an intention to cause harm?
• Investigating Evidence: Your lawyer will look for evidence that supports your intentions, recklessness, or awareness of potential harm.
• Evaluating Injuries: The extent of the injuries sustained by the alleged victim will be carefully evaluated.

In Ohio, the law includes a provision for self-defense. This means you may argue that your actions were in self-defense, provided the weapon you used was not disproportionately greater than the one used against you. For example, using a knife against someone who is only using their fists is not generally considered self-defense. A Steubenville DUI attorney can help determine if this defense applies to your situation.

Because it is critical to explore all possible legal defenses, you must disclose every detail that could strengthen your case. Your lawyer will work diligently to find evidence that supports the legality or unintentional nature of your actions.

Make sure to give your attorney a list of any witnesses who were present during the incident. It’s also important to thoroughly examine the scene of the alleged crime. If there were surveillance cameras in the area, there might be video footage that could either help or harm your case. Inform your Steubenville DUI attorney about any potential video evidence.

How Can a Lawyer Help Me?

Before you appear in court for your first hearing and face a prosecutor determined to secure a conviction, it is essential to have a skilled and resolute criminal lawyer on your side. They will help you decide on the best strategy and work tirelessly to prove your innocence.

If you are dealing with simple assault charges, contact the Steubenville Criminal Lawyers at Logue Law Group today at 844.PITT.DUI or get in touch with us online.