Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is a serious crime that can result in either first or second degree felony charges being brought against you. This means that a conviction is likely to lead to more than a year of jail time, among other potential consequences.

A charge of aggravated assault must be taken very seriously due to the grave consequences associated with conviction. As such, if you are accused of aggravated assault or are arrested on aggravated assault charges, it is important to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. The criminal defense law firm of Lawrence R. Dworkin is here to help. If you have been accused of aggravated assault in Philadelphia, Delaware, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks County or surrounding areas, contact us today at 610-357-3506 or using our online form to learn how we can assist you in responding to the charges.

Pennsylvania Aggravated Assault Charges

In the state of Pennsylvania, aggravated assault is defined in 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. section 2702. Under this statute, you may be found guilty of aggravated assault if:

• You attempt to cause serious bodily injury to another
• You actually cause serious bodily injury to another, either intentionally or because you are so careless that your actions suggest “extreme indifference to the value of human life”
• You actually cause, or attempt to cause, serious bodily injury to law enforcement, teachers, or certain other protected individuals
• You attempt to cause, or actually cause, any type of bodily injury to another person using a deadly weapon

If you commit any of these offenses, you will be charged with either a first degree felony or a second degree felony.

How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Being accused of aggravated assault does not mean that you will be found guilty of aggravated assault. In fact, it may be possible for you to get the charges against you dropped or for you to be acquitted of the charges against you after a trial. It may also be possible for you to plea bargain down to lesser charges, including to simple assault which is a misdemeanor.

Getting your charges dropped or getting an acquittal will depend on you either raising a defense or showing that there is insufficient evidence to charge you of the crime or to convict you of the crime. Because the prosecutor must show that you did one of the above wrongful acts and must prove this beyond a reasonable doubt for you to be found guilty of aggravated assault, you do not have to actually prove your innocence. Instead, your criminal defense lawyer can help you to introduce doubt as to whether you did what you were accused of. In some cases, your attorney can assist you in keeping evidence out of court if your constitutional rights were violated, thereby making it impossible for the prosecutor to prove his/her case.

Your criminal defense lawyer will help you to determine whether defending yourself is best, whether introducing doubt is the right course of action, or whether a plea bargain makes the most sense. With the help of your criminal defense attorney, you can make an informed choice and build the best and strongest case possible in order to get the most favorable outcome you can in a bad situation.

To learn more about how we can help you if you are facing charges for aggravated assault, contact us today using our online form or at 610-357-3506. For more than 30 years, Lawrence R. Dworkin has been successfully representing clients accused of aggravated assault and other crimes. Contact us to learn how we can put that legal experience to work for you.