Assault is a grave offense in Connecticut. Regardless of what degree of assault you are accused of, you need to take the situation seriously and contact legal counsel right away. The factors surrounding the alleged offense could result in penalties ranging from one year to decades of incarceration.

Get in touch with a Meriden assault lawyer at Ruane Attorneys. Our legal team can fight for your rights throughout your case while working toward the best possible outcome.

First, Second, and Third-Degree Assault in Meriden

The crime of assault can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether someone is charged with first, second, or third-degree assault. Many different actions can qualify as first, second, or third-degree assault, making it essential to retain a local attorney who can work to prevent overly harsh prosecution.

Someone could face first-degree assault charges for allegedly harming another person with a lethal weapon on purpose. Purposefully causing bodily harm to another could lead to second-degree charges. A typical example of third-degree assault is negligently inflicting bodily harm upon another individual.

Penalties for Different Degrees of Assault

A conviction for first, second, or third-degree assault comes with penalties that can include high fines and imprisonment. Certain factors, such as the age and condition of the alleged victim or whether an object or weapon was used in the commission of the alleged crime, can upgrade the penalties attached to these charges.

• First-degree assault can be a Class A felony, which carries a period of incarceration ranging from 10 years to life, or a Class B felony, which carries a period of incarceration ranging from 12 months to 40 years.
• Second-degree assault can be charged as a Class C felony, which carries a period of incarceration ranging from 12 months to 10 years, or a Class D felony, which carries a period of incarceration ranging from 12 months to five years.
• Third-degree assault is categorized as a Class A misdemeanor in Connecticut, which can carry a period of incarceration of no more than 12 months.

Defending Assault Charges

A Meriden lawyer at our firm could identify the most constructive and applicable defenses for a specific assault charge. Sometimes, an issue like mistaken identity can be deployed as a plausible defense to an assault allegation.

Another potential defense is that the accused was defending themselves, their property, or a third party when the alleged assault occurred. Other potential defenses to an assault charge can include entrapment or coercion. The right defense strategy will come down to the particular events that led to the charge.

Talk with a Meriden Assault Attorney Today

When it comes to defending a criminal charge, there is no single strategy or defense that can guarantee a positive outcome. However, retaining legal counsel can significantly increase your chances of defeating the charges and moving forward with minimal impact on your life.

A Meriden assault lawyer can handle your defense at every stage. At Ruane Attorneys, we are prepared to interact with law enforcement, represent your case at hearings, deal with investigators or prosecutors, and present the most aggressive defense possible at trial. Our legal team works to ensure that nothing slips through the cracks in fighting for your rights and future. Call us today to get started on your case.