Anne Arundel County Assault Lawyer
Are you facing assault charges in Anne Arundel County? While your case may be heard in the Robert F. Sweeney Building, the consequences of it won't end there. You could be spending years in prison for an assault offense. While this can be a very frightening prospect, an Anne Arundel Assault lawyer can help put your mind at ease. They can make sure you understand the case against you, the legal aspects, and what can be done to avoid some of the worst penalties.
What Should You Do After Your Arrest?
You can be charged with assault after an arrest at the scene of the alleged crime or following an investigation and the issuance of an arrest warrant. If you are being questioned by police, having an attorney with you can help ensure you do not incriminate yourself. The police may seem nice and helpful; however, they are likely asking you questions to help bolster their case against you.
Everything you say to the police can be entered in their report and used against you later.
Penalties
The penalty you face for an Anne Arundel County assault charge depends on a variety of factors-the greatest of which is the specific charge you are facing.
First degree assault is punishable by up to 25 years in prison. This applies when the alleged victim receives "serious bodily injury" from the assault. It is considered a very violent crime and is punished accordingly.
Second degree assault is still a felony assault charge, though it only carries a maximum 10 years in prison. If the alleged assault results in injury not bad enough to be classified as "serious", you could be facing this charge.
What Can Be Done?
Consulting with an Anne Arundel County assault lawyer can be the first step in knowing for certain how your case can be handled in a way that will minimize its impact on your life. Maybe you acted in self-defense, a viable legal defense option if you had no choice but to protect yourself. But even if you made a mistake and hurt someone, all hope is not lost. Discussing all of the details of your case with a criminal defense lawyer can be the key to developing a rock solid defense strategy.