Defending Your Future Against Assault Charges

When tensions flare between you and someone else, things may get out of hand and can result in you facing assault charges. These charges can jeopardize your rights, future and freedom, and trying to represent yourself against your charges can leave you with some of the worst outcomes in your case. Instead of taking chances with your future, let a skilled criminal defense team protect your future.

At Reichert Law Office, we have more than 25 years of experience shielding our clients from their criminal charges. We represent clients throughout North Dakota and Northern Minnesota, and we are prepared to develop a personalized strategy to defend you against your charges.

How We Stand Against Assault Charges

It can be easy to feel as if there is no defending yourself against assault accusations, but there may be grounds for a viable defense in your case. Depending on the unique factors of your situation, we may be able to explore defenses like:

• Self-defense: The physical actions you are accused of were actually performed in the interest of protecting yourself from someone else.
• Protecting someone else: Your alleged assault was committed in the defense of someone else.
• Necessity: Your actions that resulted in assault charges were necessary.
• Duress: You were forced to commit an act of violence by the threat of harm.
• Mistaken identity: You were accused of a crime someone else committed.

To help build your strongest possible defense against your charges, we scrutinize the details of your case, the events leading up to the arrest, the alleged evidence against you and anything else that may pertain to your charges. We are committed to doing everything in our power to help you beat your charges, but if beating your charges is not an attainable goal, we can also represent you to minimize the charges and sentencing you are facing or even negotiate to maximize your plea deal.

What Constitutes Assault In North Dakota?

In North Dakota, there are multiple forms of assault. Simple assault is the intentional or neglectful act of violence toward an individual. Aggravated assault is the intentional or neglectful use of a deadly weapon, such as a firearm or knife, to cause bodily harm to an individual. Domestic assault is violent action toward a family or household member.

What Is The Difference Between Assault and Battery?

In many states, assault and battery have unique legal definitions. Assault may only be the intent to harm an individual, but there may be no form of physical harm done to the victim. Battery is the physical harm to an individual. Because of the nuances of assault and battery, the penalties may differ. However, North Dakota only defines violence toward individuals as assault. The terms assault and battery may, at times, be used interchangeably.

What Are The Potential Consequences Of An Assault Conviction?

The potential consequences of an assault conviction can vary depending on the type of charges against a defendant and other facts presented in a case, such as the degree of injuries and whether the assault was intentional. A defendant facing an assault accusation may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony in North Dakota.

If a defendant is charged with simple assault, they may face a Class B misdemeanor with 30 days in jail and $1,500 in fines. If the victim was a protected state worker, such as an officer, the defendant could face a Class C felony with five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The willful act of violence and substance bodily harm to a victim can lead to a Class C or Class B felony charge. Charges may exceed 10 years behind bars and $20,000 in fines.

What Are Possible Defenses To An Assault Charge?

We believe in a strategic approach to every case that aims to mitigate the possible consequences of an assault charge. Self-defense, defense of others and defense of one’s property are common defenses that may be raised.

Leave Your Case In Good Hands

If you are ready to begin developing your custom-tailored strategy, now is the best time to reach out to us. Call our Grand Forks office at 701-314-2203 or email us here to schedule your free initial consultation today.