Defending Against Assault And Battery Charges In Lake County

Charges of assault or battery, or both, can result in many complications for the accused. If you face an accusation of assault or battery, it is in your best interest to have an experienced criminal defense attorney looking out for your interests.

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, we are equipped to take on these damaging charges and protect your rights and good name. Whether you face charges after a disagreement with a stranger or in the context of a divorce, you can rely on us to protect what matters most to you.

What Is Battery?

Battery can be charged when someone is accused of making physical contact with another person against their will. Examples include someone punching or striking another person or engaging in physical contact during a disagreement. It is not uncommon for someone to face assault and battery charges concurrently as a result of alleged threats leading to alleged violence in a bar fight or other setting.

How Can I Defend Against Battery Charges?

The prosecution must be able to demonstrate that you had criminal intent to do harm. The most common way to defend against battery charges is to show that a defendant either was acting in self-defense, defending others who were in harm, defending their private property or actually had consent to make contact with the accuser. An experienced defense attorney can help move things beyond one person’s word against the other’s and build a strong defense against battery charges.

What Is Assault?

Assault is often confused with battery, or the two terms are incorrectly used interchangeably. Under Florida law, assault is when someone makes threats that leave the recipient fearing imminent harm. Prosecutors will attempt to demonstrate that the accused had criminal intent and planned on actually carrying out the threat. There are a variety of assault charges that can be leveled against the accused, including simple assault, aggravated assault and felony assault. They all require an aggressive defense to avoid the harsh consequences of a conviction.

How Can I Defend Against Assault Charges?

People sometimes say dumb things. It’s a fact of life and can also be an important part of an assault defense. Words said in jest or as a joke should not be construed as worthy of assault allegations. The prosecution must prove that there was criminal intent to follow through on the alleged threat. Showing a lack of criminal intent is crucial to beating assault charges.

Will I Have To Go To Trial?

One of the primary benefits of having an attorney is that these cases can often be resolved prior to going to court. The sooner you have a skilled defense lawyer working for you, the sooner your defense can begin in earnest.