Assault & Battery

Have you been charged with some type of assault and battery crime?  Attorney Jeffrey R. Lawrence has over 15 years of experience handling these cases, ranging from the simplest assault to the most serious attempted murder cases.

A “battery” is any physical contact with another person, to which that they have not consented.  (Cal. PC §242)  An “assault” is an attempt to commit a battery.  (Cal. PC §240.)  For these simple misdemeanor offenses, the prosecution does not have to prove that any injury actually occurred.  A battery can be a push or a punch, but it can even be committed indirectly by throwing a glass of water on someone, for example.  Nonetheless, you will still be facing a maximum of six months of incarceration and some fines and restitution for either of these misdemeanor charges.

If the battery is likely to result in great bodily injury, or if it was done with a deadly weapon (Cal. PC §245(a)(1)), or if it actually does cause serious bodily injury to someone (Cal. PC §243(d)), then you may be facing felony charges and up to 4 years in state prison.  If the battery you are accused of actually did cause someone great bodily injury or involved weapons, then you will be facing a “strike” under the California 3 Strikes law and substantially more jail time.  (Cal. PC §12022.7)  Assault cases can even turn into attempted murder cases and on occasion, what would otherwise have been simple battery can morph into a murder case.

Whatever your situation may be, you need a solid, seasoned criminal defense attorney on your side if you are charged with an assault and battery crime.  Attorney Jeffrey R. Lawrence has represented thousands of people charged with these types of crimes, and he will utilize this experience to prepare the best defense possible for your unique situation.  If the need arises to take the case to trial, Mr. Lawrence will act as a fierce advocate on your behalf. 

• It could be on your record for life
• Imprisonment
• Probation or parole
• Anger management classes for a year
• Significant fines
• Loss of the right to possess firearms for 10 years or life

You need to be careful before you consider any possible plea deal, because you can also be held liable in civil court to the victim in a private lawsuit.  Unlike a Public Defender, Mr. Lawrence can and will advise you of any civil consequences that you may face, and, if the need arises and you retain him to do so, he will defend you in any civil action, as well.
There are many possible defenses to an Assault and Battery charge, and Mr. Lawrence has several years of practice presenting each in real jury trials:

• Self defense
• Defense of others
• Defense of property
• Factual innocence - it wasn't you
• Lack of intent, such as an accident

If you are accused of an Assault and Battery crime, you need to speak to criminal defense attorney Jeffrey R. Lawrence, as soon as possible, to learn more about your rights, your defenses, and the complicated legal system. you are now caught up in.