Germantown, Maryland Assault Defense Attorney

Lawyer Assisting With Assault and Aggravated Assault Charges in Germantown

In some cases, an arrest and criminal charges may be based on a single heated moment, such as an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation or a situation where a person tried to defend themselves against an attack. When a person is charged with assault, they may face multiple types of serious penalties, and they will need to understand how to defend against a conviction.

Assault charges can range from misdemeanor offenses to serious felonies that carry penalties that may include years or decades in prison. The lawyer at the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder defends people in Germantown and the surrounding areas against charges of assault. He can make sure all circumstances surrounding an alleged offense will be considered, and he will advocate for an outcome that will protect his client's rights.

Why You Need Legal Representation in an Assault Case

People may sometimes assume that a first-time assault charge is not a serious offense or that the penalties they may face will be minimal. That assumption can be costly. A misdemeanor assault conviction will be added to a person's permanent criminal record, which can affect their ability to find employment, obtain a professional license, or avoid other problems. Felony assault charges are even more serious, and convictions will result in long-lasting or permanent consequences.

When you work with the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, our legal team will listen carefully to your account of what happened. We can review information such as police reports, witness statements, available video footage, and other evidence to determine what defenses may be available. We will explain the charges against you in plain terms, walk you through the court process step by step, and provide a realistic assessment of how your case may be resolved. Our goal is to make sure you are fully prepared throughout your case while advocating for the best possible outcome for you.

First-Degree Assault

The most serious assault charges will be classified as first-degree assault. These charges may apply if you are accused of intentionally causing someone to suffer a serious physical injury or attempting to do so. An assault that is committed while using a firearm will also generally be classified as first-degree assault. A conviction for this offense, which is also known as aggravated assault, carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Second-Degree Assault

Charges of assault will generally involve accusations that a person intentionally injured someone or acted in a way that caused someone to believe that they would suffer harm. In cases where assault charges do not meet the criteria for first-degree assault, you could be charged with second-degree assault. This offense may be charged as a misdemeanor, but if it allegedly resulted in a physical injury, it could be charged as a felony.

Vehicular Assault

A driver who is accused of committing assault while using a motor vehicle may be charged with vehicular assault. These charges may involve accusations that you drove in a way that threatened another person or that you intentionally caused harm by striking someone else with your vehicle. You may also be accused of vehicular assault based on claims that you engaged in criminal negligence while driving and caused someone else to suffer an injury. Vehicular assault is a misdemeanor offense with a potential prison sentence of one year.

Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer

If the victim of an alleged assault was a law enforcement officer, the penalties you may face may be harsher than in other assault cases. A case that would otherwise be charged as a misdemeanor may be elevated to a felony with a potential prison sentence of 10 years.

Defense Strategies in Assault Cases

Our attorney can review the circumstances surrounding an arrest for assault to determine the most effective options for defense, which may include:

Self-Defense

Reasonable force may be used to defend yourself in a situation where you are at risk of suffering harm. Our lawyer may take steps to show that you acted reasonably and used force that was proportional to the threat you faced. By showing that your conduct was legally justified, he can work to have the charges against you dismissed.

Challenging Witness Statements and Credibility

An assault case may be based on eyewitness testimony. However, witnesses can be mistaken about what happened, or they may have biases about the people who were involved in an incident. In some cases, their statements may be inconsistent or unreliable. Our attorney can review a person's statements, look for inconsistencies, and challenge their claims about what happened.

Video and Physical Evidence

Many assault cases involve evidence such as security camera footage, videos captured by people's cell phones, or records related to injuries. Our lawyer will take steps to obtain all relevant evidence and use it to demonstrate that your actions did not rise to the level of assault.

Lack of Intent

To be convicted of assault, a prosecutor will need to show that you acted intentionally to cause an injury or threaten a person with harm. Accidental contact does not meet the legal definition of assault, even if it resulted in an injury. Our attorney can take steps to show that your actions were unintentional or misunderstood.

Contact Our Germantown, MD Assault Defense Lawyer

Whether you are facing a misdemeanor assault charge or have been accused of a serious felony offense, you will need to take the right steps during your case to defend against a conviction. You can do so with the help of the lawyer at the Law Offices of Mallon Snyder, who will review the facts of your case, explain your options, and work with you to build a strong defense. Contact our Germantown assault attorney at 301-762-7500 to schedule your free consultation.