Rockville Assault & Battery Lawyer

Knowledgeable Defense for Assault & Battery Charges in Rockville, MD

People may be charged with violent crimes in a variety of situations, and these cases will often involve accusations that someone has acted in a way that caused harm to someone else. Arrests for assault may occur in these situations, and depending on the circumstances surrounding an incident, a person may be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony offense. A conviction on assault charges may lead to a prison sentence, fines, and a criminal record that can affect a person's future. At Salvado Law Offices, our criminal defense lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in criminal cases. Our strong knowledge of the law and the available defense strategies ensures that our clients will be prepared to respond to assault charges and defend against convictions.

Situations That May Lead to Assault Charges

Accusations of acting in ways that harmed others or put them at risk of being injured can arise in a variety of situations, including:

• Public fights: Altercations can occur in bars or nightclubs, at sports events, or in other locations. Alcohol is often involved in these incidents, and tempers when flare, a person may be accused of purposely injuring one or more other people.
• Domestic disputes: Arguments between family members or intimate partners can escalate into physical confrontations, resulting in domestic violence allegations.
• Road rage incidents: Confrontations on the road can sometimes turn violent, and drivers or passengers may face assault charges following physical altercations.
• School or workplace conflicts: Disputes between students in schools may lead to fights, or teachers or other school officials may be accused of acting in ways that put students or others at risk of harm. While at work, people may become involved in disagreements with coworkers or customers, and these may lead to physical altercations that could result in serious injuries and criminal charges.
• Self-defense misunderstandings: In some situations, a person may act in self-defense or to defend others, but they may be misunderstood or misrepresented as the aggressor, leading to assault charges.

Maryland Law on Assault and Battery

Maryland law does not make a distinction between assault and battery. Actions involving the purposeful infliction of harm or behavior that caused others to fear that they would be injured are grouped under the category of assault. Specific assault charges may include:

• First degree assault: This offense generally involves actions that cause or are intended to cause someone to suffer serious physical injuries. A person may also face first degree assault charges if they are accused of committing assault while using a firearm or intentionally choking or strangling someone. First degree assault is classified as a felony and is punishable by up to 25 years in prison.
• Second degree assault: Offenses that involve the infliction of injury or threats to harm someone will generally fall under this category. In most cases, this is a misdemeanor offense, and a conviction could result in a sentence of up to 10 years in jail and a maximum $2,500 fine. Second-degree assault involving the intentional infliction of injuries against a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, other first offender, or a probation or parole officer is a felony that also carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, as well as a maximum fine of $5,000.
• Reckless endangerment: This offense involves conduct that puts another person at risk of being seriously injured or killed, including firing a gun from inside a vehicle. A person does not necessarily need to intend to cause harm to someone else, but they may face criminal charges if they understood the risks of their behavior and acted in a way that could have caused someone to suffer harm. This offense is a misdemeanor that may result in a prison sentence of up to five years and a maximum fine of $5,000.

Contact Our Rockville, Maryland Assault Defense Lawyers

An arrest on assault or reckless endangerment charges will require immediate legal assistance. The team at Salvado Law Offices can help people in these situations act quickly to address accusations of assault and develop defense strategies. We may be able to show that a person was acting in self-defense, that their actions were justified for other reasons, or that they did not intend to cause harm or threaten others. Our goal is to help our clients resolve these matters without being convicted, and we will work to minimize the ways that a person's life will be affected. Contact our firm at 301-933-1814 for a free consultation. We provide representation in cases in and around Rockville, Maryland and Falls Church, Virginia.