Simple Assault Lawyer Philadelphia
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Have you been charged with Simple Assault? The facts of your case are important, and, as such, need to be reviewed by a professional. It may be that you were attacked, and officers arrived in time to see you using lawful self-defense, but given their unavoidably limited knowledge of the situation, simply arrested all those involved in the fight. Or perhaps the officers believed it necessary to arrest everyone involved for safety purposes. It is even possible that a person with a grudge against you filed a complaint, and the police responded accordingly. Remember, an arrest itself is no indication of guilt. Often an altercation may lead to a private criminal complaint against you, which can result in the district attorney’s office pursuing Simple Assault Charges. The legal system is supposed to sort all of this out correctly down the line.
Alleged criminal charges are always extremely serious matters. Assault charges in Pennsylvania are divided into different categories, based upon the degree of seriousness. Assault charges in particular, indicate that an individual has committed either a felony or a misdemeanor. In Pennsylvania, simple assault is considered a misdemeanor. I know what you may be thinking: it’s just a misdemeanor. I can handle this myself, right? This is a common misconception; misdemeanors are crimes that can include jail time and are predisposed to turning into felonies. If a charge of simple assault is brought against you, immediately contact an experienced Philadelphia Criminal Defense Lawyer.
If you need help defending yourself from accusations of simple assault, you should retain the services of an experienced Criminal Defense Attorney. The Criminal Defense Attorneys at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. can help you.
What Is Simple Assault?
Simple Assault is a misdemeanor. Charges for this crime will be brought against you for supposedly intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly attempting to cause or in fact causing bodily injury to another person.
For the prosecution to prove its case, it must demonstrate that you (1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly, (2) attempted to cause or did cause bodily injury to another person. They must satisfy both of these elements for you to be found guilty of the crime.
Alternatively, the statute provides some other grounds by which one may be charged with Simple Assault. Negligently causing bodily injury to another person with a deadly weapon is one. This removes the “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” component. Additionally, the law provides a lower bar for the prosecution to prove when the crime involves government employees, agents, etc. A knowledgeable attorney can help you to understand why you have been charged with a crime and what action should be taken to overcome the charges.
Remember, Simple Assault does not necessarily mean that you have, in fact, injured someone. This may be a difficult concept to understand, but it is how the law works. Merely the attempt will suffice. Therefore, you can be found guilty for throwing a punch which doesn’t even strike the alleged victim. Again, this is a concept you can discuss with your attorney if you have any further questions.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
As you can see, Simple Assault is not as simple as its title indicates. You may be facing up to five years in prison and thousands of dollars of fines if found guilty. This is a potentially serious criminal offense. A lawyer will prepare a coordinated defense by examining the relevant facts, contacting witnesses, and attempting to discredit any unfavorable evidence. By working with your attorney you can ensure that your personal and professional lives are disrupted by this event as minimally as possible. Call The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. to schedule a Free Consultation, and begin planning your defense today.