San Joaquin Assault Defense Lawyer

Assault charges bring with them the possibility of jail sentences and steep fines. Convictions mean a criminal record that can hinder future efforts to pursue employment, housing, and can make the sentencing for future convictions more severe. What defendants facing these charges need most is a San Joaquin assault defense lawyer who believes in them, and also understands how the system works. 

For over a decade, Krueger Legal has been in the trenches of the criminal justice system. From our San Joaquin office, we serve all of Fresno County, and throughout Sacramento and Stanislaus counties. 

Call today at (209) 565-0750 or reach out online. Free consultations and payment plans are available, so don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss your case.

What are the Different Types of Assault?

There’s a common misperception that assault involves the act of physically striking another human being. That’s not necessarily the case. Assault can simply involve the credible threat of violence. Battery is when that threat extends into action. 

Assault and battery can also be tied up with other offenses, notably sex crimes. It can involve the use of a deadly weapon. All of these circumstances, and more, go into what type of charges a District Attorney’s office may choose to file. 

Some cases will be misdemeanor offenses. These are still serious and punishable by up to a year in prison. But felony charges are the most severe. When they involve violent crimes and other serious offenses, they can count as a “strike” in California law. Once a defendant gets their third strike, they are subjected to prison terms of 25 years to life, even if the individual crime would normally be sentenced at far less than that. 

Put our San Joaquin assault defense attorney on your side by calling (209) 565-0750 or by filling out our online contact form today.

Defenses Against Assault Charges in California

There are a wide range of possible defense strategies, and the path chosen will be based on facts and circumstances specific to each defendant’s cases. 

But generally speaking, some defenses in assault cases might be the following: 

• Misunderstandings: This would be in cases of assault, where there is no battery involved. Did the alleged victim misunderstand something the defendant said or did, and wrongly interpret it as a threat? It’s possible. Moreover, it’s incumbent on the prosecutor to prove that the defendant’s actions were threatening, not vice-versa. 
• Self-Defense: Everyone has the right to defend themselves. It’s possible that physical action had to be taken to protect one’s person, property, or family. In this defense strategy, a San Joaquin assault defense lawyer must show both that the defendant was threatened, and the response was proportionate to the threat they felt. 
• Mistaken Identity: This defense might apply if the charges stem from an incident at an establishment or event where there was a large number of people. An example might be if a melee breaking out at a night club. The prominence of cellphone video may be of value in proving a defendant’s innocence. Another avenue of defense in these circumstances might be insisting that the prosecution show that the defendant’s DNA is on the victim.