Phoenix Assault Defense Lawyer

Assault charges can arise from many different situations, from bar fights to domestic violence. Regardless of how it started, however, one thing is true: the consequences can be serious.

It takes a seasoned criminal defense lawyer with in-depth legal knowledge to protect your legal rights throughout every step of the criminal process. With experience at the local, state, and federal levels, The Phoenix violent crimes lawyers of Suzuki Law Offices know how to fight an assault charge.

If you or someone you love was arrested for assault, now is the time to contact a Phoenix assault attorney at Suzuki Law Offices.

Types of Assault in Arizona

Assault in Arizona can encompass a wide spectrum of charges, ranging from no-contact threats to felony assault involving injuries.

The breakdown of assault charges in Arizona include:

• Misdemeanor assault: Includes causing physical injuries or touching someone to injure or provoke them.
• Felony assault: This involves causing serious physical injury, using a weapon to commit misdemeanor assault, or committing misdemeanor assault on a child, law enforcement official, or medical professional.
• Threatening and intimidating: such as using verbal threats of physical injury or property damage.
• Endangerment: putting another individual at substantial risk of injury or death.

If you are facing an assault charge in Arizona, it is important to consult with an experienced Phoenix criminal defense lawyer. A felony charge, in particular, can carry severe penalties, but an experienced lawyer well-versed in Arizona laws may be able to help reduce the criminal charges or have your case dismissed altogether.

What are the Penalties for Simple Misdemeanor Assault in Arizona

The use of threats or physical force to injure another person or cause them reasonable fear of physical harm constitutes the Arizona misdemeanor crime of simple assault. The Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS § 13-1203) state that misdemeanor charges of simple assault can be classified as either a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 offense.

The penalties for simple assault in Arizona are as follows:

• Class 3 misdemeanor assault: Simple assault is classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor if the alleged offender touched another person with intent to provoke or injure them. A conviction could result in up to 30 days in jail and $500 in fines.
• Class 2 misdemeanor assault: Simple assault could be classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor if the alleged offender threatened to injure or harm another person. A conviction could result in up to four months of jail time and $750 in fines.
• Class 1 misdemeanor assault: Simple assault could be classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor if the assault resulted in actual physical injuries to another person. A conviction could result in up to six months in jail and $2,500 in fines.

In Arizona, the victim does not need to be physically injured for assault charges to arise. Charges can still proceed if the victim feared physical injury or if he/she was touched with the intent to cause injury.

If you are facing charges of assault in any scenario, a Phoenix criminal lawyer can protect your rights and work to get your charges reduced or dropped.

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Our Legal Team Can Defend Your Rights

Depending on the violent crime charge and the facts of your case, your potential sentence and the consequences you face could vary greatly. The courts address each situation differently, looking at your prior criminal record and what the alleged victim has to say. Charges could range from the simple threat of violence to inflicting bodily harm on someone.

At Suzuki Law Offices, we do everything in our power to reduce the consequences of an assault charge. Our Phoenix criminal attorneys work with you to ensure your rights and freedom are protected throughout the process.

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What is Aggravated Assault?

Aggravated assault is a felony criminal offense that is punished more severely than simple assault, including up to 15 years in prison. Although circumstances vary from case to case, there are certain aggravating factors that can elevate an assault charge to aggravated assault.

Factors that could elevate your charge to aggravated assault include:

• Causing severe physical injury
• Using a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument
• Restraining a person
• If the victim was younger than 15 years old
• Entering a person’s home to commit assault
• If the victim was a police officer

There are escalating prison terms for each level of violence. Even just threatening someone with a dangerous weapon – but not hurting the person – can result in aggravated assault with a mandatory prison sentence.

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Potential Defenses for Assault Charges

If you have been accused of an assault, it is critical to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney. While these charges are certainly serious, an aggressive legal defense can help challenge the allegations.

Some common strategies our firm employs include arguing self-defense, defense of others, or defense of property, depending on the circumstances.

• Self-defense: Self-defense may be a viable option if you had reasonable belief that you were in imminent danger of harm and used proportionate force to protect yourself.
• Defense of others: Defense of others applies if you were protecting a family member or friend who faced the risk of injury.
• Defending your property: Defense of property allows self-help to recover property from someone unlawfully in possession through minimal reasonable force.

Challenging the Evidence

In some cases, the evidence itself may be lacking and insufficient to meet the legal elements required to prove assault. Through a detailed review of records and witness questioning, inconsistencies and gaps can be highlighted.

We also consider jurisdictional defenses related to where and how the alleged act occurred. While an assault charge carries severe potential penalties if convicted like jail time and fines, our assault lawyers have a track record of success defending these cases and getting them reduced or dismissed outright.

We will conduct a thorough pre-trial investigation and leave no argument unexplored to challenge the state’s evidence against you.

Contact a Criminal Defense Law Firm Today

If you have been charged or arrested for assault, it is critical that you speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Suzuki Law Offices are dedicated to protecting the rights of the accused and will thoroughly evaluate your case to develop the strongest defenses available. 

We know that an assault charge, whether a misdemeanor or felony, can have long-lasting implications, which is why we explore every legal avenue possible to minimize your penalties. 

Once you reach out to us, our team can begin building a case to either get the charges reduced or dismissed outright. Do not delay – Contact Suzuki Law Offices today to schedule your free initial consultation.