Frederick, Maryland Assault Defense Lawyer

Attorney Defending Against Misdemeanor or Felony Assault Charges in Frederick

When a person is accused of acting in ways that led to injuries for other people or made them think they would be injured, they may be charged with assault. These charges may occur in situations involving heated arguments, bar fights, or domestic disputes, and when a person is arrested, they may not know what to do next. By getting legal help from an attorney who understands how to address assault charges, they can make sure their case will be handled correctly.

At Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our attorney represents people who are facing misdemeanor or felony assault charges, providing effective legal guidance and strong defense during every stage of the criminal process. He believes in making these cases as easy and stress-free as possible by advising clients of their rights and options, explaining what will happen during courtroom proceedings, and working to ensure that they have a professional appearance and will provide the right answers to any questions they may be asked. He is ready to advocate on your behalf and help you avoid a conviction for assault.

First-Degree or Second-Degree Assault

Assault charges may apply in cases where a person is accused of making harmful or offensive physical contact with someone, purposely inflicting injuries, or acting in a way that caused someone to believe that they would be injured. First-degree assault is a felony offense that may apply if a person is charged with causing someone to suffer a serious injury or using a firearm while committing assault. Second-degree assault may apply in other situations, and while it is a misdemeanor charge, it carries a potential prison sentence of 10 years.

First-degree assault may be charged in situations where a fight or other actions allegedly led to injuries such as brain trauma, bone fractures, severe cuts resulting in blood loss, or anything else that put someone's life at risk, caused them to be hospitalized, or led to disability or disfigurement. The use of a weapon such as a gun, knife, baseball bat, or another object that could inflict serious harm may also lead to an escalation of assault charges.

An assault accusation that does not rise to the level of first- degree assault will usually lead to second-degree assault charges. An argument that takes place at a bar, concert, or sports venue could lead to accusations of assault if a person allegedly made contact with the other party or acted in a threatening or aggressive manner. Other disputes could become physical, including domestic incidents, arguments between neighbors, or confrontations in the workplace, and accusations that a person struck someone else, raised their fist, made threats, or took other actions that indicated that they planned to cause harm may lead to an arrest for assault.

Defense Strategies in Assault Cases

A prosecutor will need to show that a person who has been charged with assault acted intentionally and inflicted injuries or acted in a threatening manner. Our lawyer can review the evidence, the circumstances surrounding an incident, and other factors to build a strong defense, which may include factors such as:

Self-Defense

A person who believes that they are at risk of harm is allowed to take reasonable actions to defend themselves. Our attorney may take steps to show that a person was acting to defend against an injury and that the amount of force they used was necessary to address a threat by the other party. He can reconstruct what happened during an incident and provide evidence of the communications between the parties and the actions by the alleged victim to show that a person acted in self-defense.

Defense of Others

In addition to defending themselves, a person is also allowed to use force to protect someone else from suffering harm. Our lawyer may provide evidence to show that a person had taken actions that were necessary to protect a family member, friend, or bystander from being attacked or injured by the alleged victim. He can also show that the amount of force used was reasonable and that a person acted in response to someone else's actions.

Lack of Intent

Assault charges must be based on a person's intentional conduct. Accidental contact is not a reason to charge a person with assault, even if that contact led to a person's injuries. Our attorney can provide evidence showing that contact was unintentional and that a person did not purposely act in a way that was meant to cause an injury or make someone fear that they would suffer harm.

Challenging the Evidence

Medical records may be used to argue that an alleged victim's injuries were not serious, which may reduce the severity of assault charges. Other evidence, such as footage from a security camera that captured an incident, may be used to show that a person was acting in response to actions by the alleged victim or that they did not intentionally cause harm. In some cases, evidence may show that an accusation was based on mistaken identity and that a defendant was not the person who committed assault.

Questioning Witness Credibility

Testimony from the alleged victim of assault or other eyewitnesses will often play a key role in a criminal case. Our lawyer may review the statements witnesses have given to law enforcement and other statements they have made to determine if there are any inconsistencies or contradictions. He may be able to show that accusations were based on bias against a person or that a witness had a reason to make false accusations.

Contact Our Frederick, MD Assault Defense Attorney

Whether you are facing a misdemeanor assault charge following a heated argument or a felony assault charge based on claims that you intentionally injured someone, Law Offices of Mallon Snyder can help you determine the best defense strategies to help avoid a conviction. Our attorney will stand by your side throughout your case, advocating for an outcome that will help you avoid long-term penalties that may affect your criminal record, your personal relationships, your career, and your life as a whole. Contact our Frederick assault lawyer at 301-762-7500 to set up your free consultation.