When you are convicted of assault in South Carolina, you may face steep penalties like jail time and court fines. With the right defense strategy, however, you could help limit the impact of a conviction on your life. In some cases, you may be able to get the charges dismissed entirely.
A Pickens County assault lawyer is ready to help you defend yourself against these serious allegations. Our firm could thoroughly review the evidence against you and begin preparing an approach to help achieve a favorable outcome. As a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney, Christopher L. Jones, Attorney At Law, LLC has the legal education and background to handle whatever comes up during your case.
What Counts as Assault?
South Carolina law defines assault based on the degree of the act—e.g., first, second, or third-degree or of a high and aggravated nature. An assault of a high and aggravated nature involves significant injury or the risk of death or great bodily harm. This particular type of assault (along with first-degree assault) may accompany a charge of attempted murder.
A first-degree assault occurs when someone hurts someone else while engaging in the nonconsensual touching of someone else’s private parts or while committing a burglary, theft, or kidnapping. Someone might also carry out a first-degree assault when they try or offer to hurt someone else, are equipped to do so, and do so in a way that may injure or kill someone or during a robbery or theft. Second-degree assault includes when a person hurts someone else while touching someone’s private parts without their consent, or someone could have experienced or does experience moderate injuries. Finally, third-degree assaults occur when someone hurts someone else or tries or offers to hurt someone and has the ability to carry this out.
Knowing the differences between each degree of assault can be confusing for people accused of this crime. A criminal assault attorney in Pickens County could help people understand the charges against them and how to respond appropriately.
What Happens When Someone Is Convicted of Assault?
The penalties for receiving a conviction of assault vary from case to case. An assault of a high and aggravated nature could put a felony on someone’s record and require them to serve a prison sentence of up to 20 years or more. Likewise, a first-degree assault may bring a felony charge and jail time of 10 years or more.
Second-degree assault charges are misdemeanors that carry sentences of three or more years in prison. Someone convicted of a second-degree assault may also have to pay a fine of up to $2,500 or more. Finally, getting a conviction for a third-degree assault may mean adding a misdemeanor to someone’s record, which may put them behind bars for up to 30 days and force them to pay a fine of up to $500.
An assault charge has an enormous impact on someone’s life and their ability to support themselves. Fortunately, a Pickens County attorney could help those accused of assault by investigating the allegations against them and determining the best course of action.
Connect With a Pickens County Assault Attorney Now
It can be challenging to manage a criminal defense case while handling your day-to-day obligations or awaiting trial behind bars. Fortunately, you may have options to defend yourself against the charges. Instead of taking on this responsibility yourself, consider working with a respected criminal defense lawyer.
Christopher L. Jones, Attorney At Law, LLC fights for those accused of assault and battery throughout South Carolina. With personalized attention and extensive knowledge of South Carolina’s criminal laws, he is ready to prepare an effective defense strategy so you can move forward with your life. Contact a Pickens County assault lawyer now to set up an initial consultation.