The criminal justice system is there to help victims of crime and prosecute criminals for their wrongdoings. A more serious issue is one that revolves around an assault case. Being charged with assault can get you into serious trouble.
There are things you can do, though, to defend yourself in an assault case, and that starts with getting the help of a lawyer. Here is why you should hire an attorney in an assault case.
Hefty penalties
Being charged with assault will lead you to have serious sentences. How long your sentence will be dependent on the seriousness of the assault and where it happened, but an assault classified as a misdemeanor can get you in jail for up to one year while an assault classified as a felony can get you a prison sentence of up to 10 years.
These sentences can be even higher in some cases, in addition to the expensive fines you will have to pay. If you do not get an attorney that fights for you, you could spend years in prison.
If you find yourself being investigated for assault, the first step you need to do is get a lawyer. Vik Monder, an attorney with expertise in criminal law, serves those who need legal help in and around San Diego. He is a highly-rated and award-winning criminal attorney with a proven track record of winning cases. In every case, he makes sure that you do not go to jail or receive the best sentence possible.
Anything you say or do will be used against you
Assault is when there is a threat of bodily harm, and there does not have to be actual contact for assault to be possible. The victim just needs to feel threatened and believe that there is a credible threat.
The victim’s lawyer must prove that you have assaulted the victim in any way, which is why what you say or do will be used against you. Avoid making statements that may incriminate you in any way. Always talk to your lawyer first to see if your words or actions can be used against you.
Even a small mistake could make your case worse
You will be constantly scrutinized by the prosecution to prove your guilt. Even a small mistake on your end could make your case get worse and make you look bad in the courtroom. It is important that you be incredibly careful during an assault case to not make yourself look guilty.
You have to make sure that your side should win out in the end. Your lawyer should be your priority, and that nothing gets past without your lawyer’s approval. Escalating the situation through your actions will make it harder for your lawyer to defend you in court.
The evidence you collect will prove your innocence
When it is time to fight the charge, the evidence you gather is crucial to supporting your side. For you to be convicted of assault, the prosecutor must prove every aspect of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Your evidence will help you poke holes in the prosecutor’s evidence to show how you are not liable for the crime.
Have your lawyer collect the necessary evidence to prove your innocence or blunt the prosecutor’s case against you as best as you can. If your lawyer can show that you are not as guilty as the victim says, the case against you gets weaker.