Lafayette, Louisiana Assault and Battery Attorney
Assault and Battery Criminal Charges
Assault and Battery charges are among the most common of criminal charges. Depending on the degree of injury or whether a weapon is used or not, the charges can be either misdemeanors or felonies. In most cases, simple assault and simple battery are misdemeanor charges – a conviction will carry a fine and probation but usually no jail time for a first time conviction. Aggravated assault and aggravated battery are usually felony charges with the possibility of jail time. Assault and battery charges against a family or household member are considered to be “domestic abuse battery” and have separate regulations and penalties for regular assault and battery crimes. Please see our Louisiana Domestic Abuse page for more information about domestic violence criminal charges. Louisiana Criminal defense lawyer Thomas Alonzo represents clients charged with the following:
- MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT
- FELONY ASSAULT
- SIMPLE ASSAULT
- AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
- SIMPLE BATTERY
- AGGRAVATED BATTERY
- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND BATTERY
Definition of Assault and Battery
In Louisiana, assault is intending or threatening to harm someone. If you do actually harm someone, the charge is battery. This is why the phrase “assault and battery” is frequently used — the charges often happen together. If you attempted to hurt someone, but did not succeed, the charge would be assault. Additionally, threatening someone with harm, where they reasonably believe that you intend to harm them, could also be considered assault. Firing a gun, but not actually hitting anyone, is also assault and a very serious felony charge even though no one was actually harmed. Once there is physical contact and injury, the charge is battery and can range from minor injuries such as a slap to major bodily harm such as disfigurement. If the victim dies as a result of the injury, the charge becomes homicide.
How Assault Defense Lawyer Thomas V. Alonzo Can Help You
Sometimes multiple charges, including misdemeanors and felonies, will be filed against the defendant for one incident, and the defendant will need to fight the erroneous charges in court. The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction is serious, so you need aggressive defense to get improper charges dropped or reduced. Criminal defense attorney Thomas V. Alonzo will examine all of the facts and evidence and talk to witnesses to fully prepare the best legal defense for you.
Thomas V. Alonzo has defended clients against assault and battery charges for 20 years. As a criminal defense lawyer and public defender, Mr. Alonzo has extensive courtroom experience working with district attorneys and judges to get the best outcome for his clients.