Mt. Airy Assault Defense Attorneys

Assault charges, no matter their degree, are serious. Having an assault charge on your record can affect your family, career, and can result in considerable prison time. If you’ve been charged with assault in Mt. Airy or anywhere else in Maryland, you need the services of an experienced Mt. Airy assault defense lawyer.

What is Considered Assault in Maryland?

In Maryland, assault is broadly defined and encompasses various degrees of physical harm or threat against another person. Assault can be categorized into different types based on the severity of the offense.

Common types of assault in Maryland include:

• First-Degree Assault: This involves causing or attempting to cause serious physical injury to another person intentionally. It might also involve using a firearm during the commission of the assault. Penalties for first-degree assault can include a maximum of 25 years in prison.
• Second-Degree Assault: This type of assault involves causing physical harm or offensive touching to another person intentionally. The harm caused might not be as severe as in first-degree assault, but it's still intentional. Penalties for second-degree assault can involve imprisonment for up to 10 years and fines.
• Aggravated Assault: In some cases, assault can be considered aggravated if certain aggravating factors are present, such as the use of a deadly weapon or if the victim is a protected class like a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or certain healthcare professionals. Aggravated assault penalties can vary based on the circumstances.

The penalties for assault in Maryland can vary widely based on the specifics of the case, prior criminal record, aggravating factors, and other considerations. It's important to note that each case is unique and may result in different sentencing outcomes.

Additionally, Maryland law also acknowledges other related offenses like reckless endangerment, which involves engaging in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person, and battery, which involves the actual physical contact or harm caused to another person. These offenses may carry separate penalties depending on the circumstances.

Legal proceedings and the application of penalties can be complex and vary from case to case, so seeking legal advice or representation in assault cases in Maryland is crucial.

Why Should I Acquire the Services of a Mt. Airy Assault Defense Lawyer?

As we already mentioned, assault charges are extremely serious. They can make seeking future employment very difficult and can impact your family life. The best way to avoid these consequences is to avoid the charges, and your best way to avoid the charges is to hire a professional Mt. Airy assault defense lawyer.

Here are some common defenses that can be used:

• Self-Defense: If a person reasonably believes that they are in immediate danger of being harmed, they may use reasonable force to protect themselves. However, the force used must be proportional to the threat perceived. This defense relies on proving that the accused's actions were a necessary response to protect themselves or others from harm.
• Defense of Others: Similar to self-defense, this defense applies when someone uses force to protect another person from immediate harm or danger.
• Consent: If the alleged victim consented to the actions that resulted in the assault, it might serve as a defense in some cases. However, this defense has limitations and may not apply in certain situations, especially where serious harm is involved or if consent was obtained under duress or coercion.
• Lack of Intent: Assault charges often require the prosecution to prove that the accused acted with intent. If it can be shown that there was no intent to cause harm or that the actions were accidental, it may serve as a defense.
• False Accusation: Sometimes, individuals are wrongly accused of assault due to misunderstandings or false allegations. Providing evidence to refute the claims or demonstrate inconsistencies in the accuser's statements can be used as a defense.
• Alibi: Demonstrating that the accused was not present at the location where the assault occurred at the time it happened can serve as a strong defense.

Ross Albers Serves the Mt. Airy Area

Here at Albers & Associates, we’ve been serving Mt. Airy and other surrounding Maryland areas for years, and have worked on countless cases.

If you have any questions regarding your Mt. Airy assault defense case feel free to give us a call. We would be more than happy to help you in any way we can, and we can offer a free consultation.