Definition

Assault laws are quite complex, and it’s hard to define it in one term. The varied branches of assault include:

General Assault, which is acting in a manner that could possibly result in the application of force. In assault cases, it’s not necessary that the victim sustains injuries, unlike battery, which is where force, violence or threat was used – and the victim was inflicted with injuries, whether severe or minor.

Assault vs. Battery Penalties

Though assault and battery are often used in the same context, they’re treated separately in terms of the law:

Assault is penalized by:

Up to 6 months in Jail | Up to $1,000 in fines

Battery is penalized by:

Up to 6 months in Jail | Up to $2,000 in fines

There are additional aggravating factors of the crime, including if the assault was carried out with a deadly weapon or if the victim/victims suffered serious bodily injury. This would be classified as Aggravated Battery.

Assault laws don’t end there either. They’re branched out into domestic violence cases, as well as sexual assault, including rape, and molestation of minors.

Legal Defenses for California Assault Crimes

A good California defense lawyer can present many good defenses for those who are falsely accused. Not all allegations are true, especially in domestic situations, where one party is making a false claim out of spite. It’s imperative to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, to get the best possible outcome for any type of assault case.

MacGregor and Collins is based in Orange County, California, and has successfully defended  those who were falsely accused. Call (949) 250-6097 to speak to a lawyer, should you be on trial for assault.

Learn more about other California Section Penal Codes here.