Delaware County Simple & Aggravated Assault Attorney
Assault is a type of violent crime that can have major consequences on a convicted person’s life. It is a serious crime that involves knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly causing another person a bodily injury. A conviction for simple or aggravated assault in Pennsylvania could result in expensive penalties, a permanent criminal record, and months or years behind bars. If you are facing an assault charge in Delaware County, contact our Delaware County Simple & Aggravated Assault Attorneys now. Ciccarelli Law Offices may be able to fight the charges against you.
Why Choose Ciccarelli Law Offices?
- We are committed to client success. Our lawyers will do everything they can to increase the odds of a positive outcome.
- We operate using reasonable fees. We do not charge excessive or hidden fees to represent our criminal defense clients.
- We have more than 30 years of experience. We have decades of combined experience successfully representing criminal defense clients throughout Pennsylvania.
- We work together. Our lawyers work with each other as well as closely with the client to learn as much as possible about the case. Then, they create a tailored defense strategy.
When to Contact an Assault Defense Lawyer
Assault is not a criminal charge you should take lightly in Pennsylvania. Contact a lawyer as soon as DELCO police officers arrest you for alleged assault. Cooperate with the police officers, but do not offer any more information than is necessary. Politely request to call a lawyer. Then, call (610) 692-8700 to reach Ciccarelli Law Offices. We can immediately go to work on defending your rights and building your defense. Our attorneys can represent you during arraignments and hearings.
Pennsylvania Assault Laws
The two types of criminal assault in Pennsylvania are simple and aggravated. To convict a person for simple assault, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly caused another person bodily harm. To convict for aggravated assault, the prosecution must prove that the defendant did so with an extreme indifference to human life. Other actions could qualify as simple assault as well.
- Negligently causing bodily injury using a deadly weapon
- Using physical menace to intimidate someone with imminent bodily injury
- Stabbing a law enforcement officer or correctional system employee with a hypodermic needle during arrest or search
The courts will increase the charge to aggravated assault if the victim is a police officer, parole officer, correctional officer, firefighter, teacher, or member of the school community. The penalties for simple assault range from up to one year to five years in prison. The penalties for aggravated assault (a felony) are 10 to 20 years in prison. Significant fines may also be part of the defendant’s sentence.
Defending Against an Assault Charge
Getting an assault conviction could be a permanent black mark on your record. You might find it hard to find gainful employment or housing with an assault conviction. If your crime is a felony, you could lose civil rights such as the right to vote or own firearms. In addition, you could lose relationships and have to spend a significant amount of money in restitutions. The best thing you can do if facing assault charges is to hire a great criminal defense lawyer in DELCO.
A defense lawyer can come up with smart defense strategies on your behalf. Potential defenses may include lack of intent to harm, lack of bodily injury, provocation on the victim’s part, self-defense, defense of others, involuntary intoxication, and insanity. Your Delaware County criminal defense lawyer may be able to convince the courts to reduce or even to dismiss the charges against you. Otherwise, strong defense strategies could lead to an acquittal, or not-guilty verdict.
Contact Our Firm Today
Learn more about Pennsylvania’s simple and aggravated assault laws, as well as your options if someone is accusing you of this violent crime. Contact Ciccarelli Law Offices today for a free legal consultation at an office near you.