Assault & Battery Lawyer
Summerville · Moncks Corner · Goose Creek · Charleston
Facing Assault & Battery Charges in SC?
If you’re facing assault and battery charges you may or may not have physically harmed someone.
Oftentimes when people think of assault and battery they imagine someone was brutally beaten. While this is just one scenario, there are other scenarios which are far less severe than what most people might imagine.
You see, it’s a misconception that physical injury must occur in order to be charged with assault and battery. And, depending on the degree of your charges along with the number of offenses, the fines, penalties and jail time vary greatly.
But, regardless of the degree or offense, assault and battery charges are always serious and should be taken as such. If convicted, the impact it has on one’s life is just too great to not fight the charges.
What Factors Determine The Seriousness of Your Charges?
While not a complete list, law enforcement considers one or more of the following factors to determine the degree of the charge:
- Severity of injuries suffered by the victim
- Age of the victim
- Size, including height and weight of the victim vs. the height and weight of the accused
- Whether the victim wants to press charges
- If a weapon was used
- Whether the private parts of the victim were touched by the accused
The Assault & Battery Attorneys at Templeton Mims & Ward can help.
While assault and battery charges are a serious offense, there’s hope. There are several ways we can obtain a favorable outcome in your case.
Let’s take a look at potential options.
Self Defense
Generally speaking, a person may use whatever degree of force is reasonably necessary to protect themselves from bodily harm.
However, if you initiated the fight, then self defense cannot be claimed. There is an exception in some cases – if you can prove that you retreated from the confrontation self defense may be used even if you were the initial aggressor.
Defending Others
Aiding others in threatening situations is a valid defense provided the defender is free from fault.
Defense of Property
A reasonable amount of force may be used to protect property. However, the right to defend property is more limited than that of self defense. For example, deadly force is usually not permitted.
Accident
Of course if the circumstances surrounding your case demonstrate that the harm to the victim was an accident then this can be a viable defense as well.
Why Fight Your Assault & Battery Charges?
Depending on the degree of the charge, you could be facing anywhere from 30 days for assault and battery 3rd degree and up to 20 years in prison for assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.
In addition to the obvious reasons for fighting your charges, some of the potential consequences that have a long lasting effect on your life if convicted are: the loss of your job, loss of your right to carry a firearm, loss of your voting rights, difficulty finding housing, and if you’re in the military you may face additional consequences there as well.
Here’s What We’ll Do:
- Fight your assault and battery charge
- Represent you at your bond hearing after the arrest
- Devise a plan of attack to arrive at the best possible outcome possible
- Uncover the facts and details surrounding your case to build a solid and effective defense
- Keep you informed every step of the way so you can make an informed decision
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between assault and battery?
Is assault and battery a felony or a misdemeanor?
Assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature (ABHAN) is the most serious assault and battery charge and is a felony, as is assault and battery 1st degree.
Assault and battery 2nd degree and assault and battery 3rd degree are both misdemeanor charges.
Will I go to jail if convicted of assault and battery?
| Charge: | Classification: | Jail Time: |
| ABHAN | Felony | 0-20 years |
| Assault & Battery 1st Degree | Felony | 0-10 years |
| Assault & Battery 2nd Degree | Misdemeanor | 0-3 years and/or possible fines |
| Assault & Battery 3rd Degree | Misdemeanor | 0-30 days and/or possible fines |
There are many factors that go into how much jail time you could serve. The Court will look at many things, such as prior convictions and the severity of the victim’s injuries.