Vienna Assault Attorneys

Skilled Assault Defense Lawyers for Clients in Vienna, Virginia

In Virginia, the crime of assault and battery can come with strict prosecution. If convicted, you could be sentenced to months or years in prison, alongside heavy fines. Moreover, you will have to live with a black mark on your criminal record, which can be viewed by anyone who runs a background check on you. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Vienna can help you contest an accusation of assault in court, protecting your best interests.

At Salvado Law Offices, we are no stranger to taking on criminal cases. Since our firm was established more than 25 years ago, we have defended numerous clients against charges of violent crimes. After carefully reviewing your case, our lawyers will pursue the best course of action on your behalf.

Assault and Battery

Virginia law draws a distinction between assault and battery, though both are usually punished under the same statute with the same penalties. Assault is defined as making a threat of immediate physical violence to another person. You do not have to make physical contact to be arrested for simple assault.

Battery generally involves purposely injuring or harming someone else through physical contact. However, it also includes the act of unlawfully touching someone in a rude or harmful manner. Even if the physical contact does not result in injury, you can still face charges of assault and battery.

Both simple assault and assault and battery are Class 1 misdemeanors, which carry up to a year of jail time and a possible fine of no more than $2,500. However, you may face enhanced penalties, including minimum jail sentences, for committing battery against someone you know to be a teacher, healthcare provider, or public transportation driver.

Malicious Wounding

Malicious wounding is defined under Virginia law as cutting, shooting, stabbing, or otherwise physically harming another person with the aim of disabling, disfiguring, maiming, or killing that person. This can be thought of as a much more serious assault and battery charge, as it is charged as a Class 3 felony, which can be punished by five to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $1,000.

The law recognizes a potential mitigating circumstance if you can prove that you did not intend to disfigure, disable, maim, or kill the victim, in which case the charge can be downgraded to a Class 6 felony, which has a five-year maximum prison sentence.

Defenses Against an Assault and Battery Charge

At Salvado Law Offices, we can help you defend against an allegation of simple assault, assault and battery, or malicious wounding. Depending on the facts of the case, we could assert that:

• You were defending yourself or somebody else with an appropriate amount of force
• There is not enough evidence to convict you of the crime
• The other party consented to the alleged act of violence
• You were falsely accused by someone with an ulterior motive

Our attorneys will advocate for your rights, making sure that you have a voice in the courtroom. During the legal proceedings, we will call out any inconsistencies or weaknesses in the case against you as we fight for the best possible outcome.

Meet With a Vienna, VA Assault and Battery Defense Lawyer Today

Have you been arrested for assault and battery, malicious wounding, or another violent crime in Virginia? At Salvado Law Offices, our Vienna, VA criminal defense attorneys can prepare a legal strategy on your behalf, working to minimize the charges against you. We will do everything we can to protect you from the legal penalties of a conviction as we argue for your rights. For a free consultation, call us at 301-933-1814 today or contact us online.