Stamford Assault Lawyer
If you have been charged with assault in Stamford, or anywhere else in Connecticut, then you could face severe penalties if convicted. Being charged with assault under C.G.S. 53a-61 can damage your reputation in your community and profession, and can result in a felony conviction for more serious degrees of criminal assault that will have lifelong effects on your ability to obtain credit and employment. It is important to take the charges against you very seriously, regardless of the circumstances that led to your current situation.
Our Stamford, Connecticut assault lawyers have experience representing clients charged with all degrees of assault, and can help you identify the best defense strategy to give you the greatest possible chance of achieving the best outcome in your case. With the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney, the charges against you can often be lowered or dropped entirely.
Why Do I Need Legal Representation?
Many different behaviors can constitute assault in Stamford, Connecticut. Defendants are often surprised to find themselves facing the serious penalties of an assault conviction after being involved in a minor altercation. Many different issues can affect both the type of assault charge brought and the potential penalties of a conviction, depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
Having an attorney with experience in this field of law will help you understand all of the elements that can change the outcome of your case and determine the best means of defending yourself. Your lawyer will ensure that your legal rights are protected at every step of the process, and will advocate for your best interests as you work together to build your defense.
Connecticut Assault Law
Connecticut law classifies assault by degree, as specified in the Connecticut Penal Code. Depending on the degree of assault you have been charged with, you may be facing serious penalties associated with felony charges. As a Stamford attorney can attest, the degree of an assault charge will depend on intent, on whether or not a weapon was involved, and on the seriousness of the risk of injury involved.
Assault In The First Degree
Assault in the first degree, also called felony assault, is the most serious type of assault and may be brought under certain specific circumstances identified in the Connecticut statute. Charges of first-degree felony assault will typically be brought forth in cases where the prosecution feels they can establish that you intended to cause a serious physical injury or to permanently disfigure another person with a weapon.
This charge is also brought in situations where two or more other people were involved in causing a serious physical injury to a third person, as well as when a serious injury is caused by the discharge of a firearm.
A first-degree assault conviction is a Class B felony offense, punishable by up to twenty years in prison, a fine of up to $15,000, or both. If convicted, you may also be required to serve probation and complete community service.
Assault In The Second Degree
While assault in the second degree is less serious than first-degree assault, it still constitutes a felony offense. In order to obtain a conviction of assault in the second degree, the prosecution must prove that you recklessly or intentionally committed an assault that caused a serious injury to another, or caused such injury by means of a deadly weapon (not including by discharging a firearm, which constitutes first-degree assault).
Assault in the second degree also includes intentionally causing another person to become unconscious or physically impaired through the use of date rape drugs.
Second-degree assault is a felony offense, punishable by up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
Assault In The Third Degree
Assault in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor offense. A person commits a misdemeanor assault by intentionally or recklessly causing a physical injury to another, or by injuring another person with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument through criminal negligence.
Assault in the third degree is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Contact A Stamford, Connecticut Assault Attorney Today
Regardless of what degree of assault charges you are facing, you will need legal representation in order to protect your interests. The prosecution is usually focused on obtaining a conviction – you need an attorney to convey your side of the story and argue for leniency.
Do not discuss your case with law enforcement or anyone else without a full understanding of the law and your rights. Contact our offices to speak with a Stamford assault lawyer today.