With a conviction potentially meaning years spent away from your family and friends, you need an experienced and trusted Glendale aggravated assault defense lawyer if you are facing such charges. No matter what happened or what you believe, the evidence will show that going into a courtroom without an attorney you selected who is dedicated to your case is a mistake.
Put the Glendale violent crimes lawyer, a former federal prosecutor, at Suzuki Law Offices to work protecting your future. We will fight to protect your rights at all times and make sure you know what to expect throughout the entire legal process.
Potential Penalties for an Aggravated Assault Conviction
Potential consequences of an aggravated assault conviction will range widely based on the case’s specific circumstances. These charges may be a class 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 felony, with a class 2 felony being one of the most significant crimes under the state’s law system. The following are the potential prison sentences associated with each classification:
- Class 2 felony (the most serious): 3 to 12.5 years in prison
- Class 3 felony: 2 to 8.75 years in prison
- Class 4 felony: 1 to 3.75 years in prison
- Class 5 felony: 6 months to 2.5 years in prison
- Class 6 felony: 4 months to 2 years in prison
These prison terms increase substantially in situations where this is the second conviction. In addition to this, your criminal record may make it hard for you to get a job, obtain housing, or meet other goals for the rest of your life. As a result, it is critical to choose a Glendale criminal defense lawyer to help you navigate your legal options.
Defining Aggravated Assault in Arizona
Under Arizona Revised Statute (ARS) 13-1204, aggravated assault is a more serious charge than simple assault, often indicating that some element of the incident was particularly risky. There are numerous potential actions that can fall under this type of charge. An assault becomes an aggravated assault when any of the following occurs:
- The assault leads to serious physical injury
- A deadly weapon or a dangerous instrument was used during the assault
- The victim is bound, restrained, or their ability to resist is in some way substantially impaired
- The assault causes temporary but substantial disfigurement or the loss or impairment of a bodily organ, or causes a fracture
- The defendant knew the victim was a police officer
- The defendant is an adult who commits a crime against a child under the age of 15
- The assault occurs within the victim’s home
- A prisoner assaults a guard
- The defendant used a simulated deadly weapon during the assault
- The defendant knew the victim was a firefighter, health care practitioner, teacher, public defender, and judge, and the person was engaging in public duties at the time of the assault
- The defendant takes or attempts to take a police officer’s weapon
In any of these situations, you are facing a serious charge, often backed by significant evidence. With the help of a skilled aggravated assault defense attorney in Glendale, you will learn the specific strategies that may help you defend against these charges. Do not put your future on the line; instead, turn to the Glendale criminal defense lawyer at the Suzuki Law Offices team for the hands-on support you need.
Defining a Serious Injury and Other Complex Charges
There are several common reasons to be charged with aggravated assault, the first being any type of physical assault on a known police officer. The second most common relates to a serious injury, which can be any type of injury that could create a reasonable risk of death or permanent disfigurement. If you are unsure that the accusations you are facing amount to aggravated assault, we encourage you to allow your attorney to find the evidence to protect you in those situations.
Under the law, a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument applies to situations in which the defendant uses some type of device designed for lethal use, such as a gun. However, a dangerous weapon could include just about anything capable of causing death or serious physical injury. Many objects can fall into this category, including bats, hammers, and even rocks.
There is a lot of vagueness in these laws, and as a result, it can be challenging to know what your future may include if convicted. In every situation, the sooner you get an aggravated assault defense lawyer in Glendale working on your case, the better. We will work to defend your rights and prove your innocence as much as possible, so be sure to review our frequently asked questions to learn more.
Potential Defense Strategies for Aggravated Assault Charges
If you are charged with aggravated assault, our criminal defense lawyers will go to work immediately, building a case for your innocence, reduced charges, or other lower punishments. Every situation warrants a personalized strategy for navigating these charges, and with our experience, you can expect that to be possible. Some of the potential defense strategies we can help you overcome include:
- Self-defense: Proving that you were defending yourself in the situation
- No intent: Show with evidence that it was an accident and you did not intend to cause harm to someone
- Denial of right to counsel: If you were not informed of your rights or denied your right to an attorney
- Defense of others: Demonstrate that your actions were intended to defend another person
- Lack of knowledge of status: You did not know the other person was a law enforcement officer or another protected classification of worker
The state must demonstrate that you acted in a way that there is no reasonable doubt possible that you committed the actions as they dictate. Our legal team will work to prove that the state does not meet the required high burden of fault in your case. This requires skill and experience in every situation.
Set Up a Free Consultation with a Glendale Aggravated Assault Defense Attorney Now
Your future is on the line, and our former prosecutors and skilled attorneys are ready to fight for your best possible outcome.
Contact Suzuki Law Offices to discuss your case during a free consultation. When you hire a Glendale aggravated assault defense lawyer from our firm, you get the support you need navigating one of the most worrisome parts of your life.
Call or text (602) 682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form