Ellicott City Assault Defense Attorneys

Skilled Lawyers for Residents of Ellicott City, Maryland Charged With Assault

When tempers flare, a brief scuffle can result in serious criminal charges. The crime of assault comes with harsh punishments in Maryland, and it may be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony. If you have been arrested for assaulting somebody else, seeking out legal representation is in your best interests. An Ellicott City assault defense attorney can provide you with representation and counsel throughout your case, fighting to protect your rights.

At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we defend clients who have been accused of assault and other violent crimes. Our lawyers can go over your case with you and discuss the best possible legal strategy, looking for ways to get the charges reduced or dismissed.

Second-Degree Assault

Assault in the second degree is a less severe crime compared to assault in the first degree, but it still carries strict penalties upon conviction. You may be charged with second-degree assault for making offensive physical contact with another person that did not result in serious injury, like slapping or pushing another person. Throwing a punch at someone without making contact may also be charged as second-degree assault.

Although assault in the second degree is only a misdemeanor, if you are convicted of this offense, you could face up to 10 years in prison. As such, it is important that you work with your attorney to figure out the best possible defense given the circumstances of your arrest. One possible defense against an assault charge may involve arguing that there was a lack of intent. If we can show that you did not mean to cause anyone harm, we may be able to get the charges against you dropped.

First-Degree Assault

First-degree assault charges may arise if you are accused of inflicting or threatening serious bodily harm to another person. You could be charged with assault in the first degree for stabbing, shooting, burning, or pointing a gun at another person, for instance. If you hit someone hard enough to cause a fracture, you can likely expect to be prosecuted for first-degree assault.

Assault in the first degree is taken seriously in Maryland. A conviction of this felony offense could lead to a sentence of up to 25 years in prison. Our attorneys can argue that you were acting in defense of yourself or others, using a degree of force that you deemed appropriate given the possible threat. We can also gather witness testimony to help support your case or expose weaknesses in the prosecution's argument. In any case, we will explore every possible strategy to help you avoid a conviction.

Domestic Violence

In Maryland, acts of domestic violence are typically punished under the state's assault statutes. However, these acts may lead to stricter prosecution due to the close relationship between the alleged victim and the alleged offender. If you are convicted of domestic violence, you may face significant barriers in finding housing or employment, as well as alienation in your community.

Note also that once you have been charged with domestic violence, your accuser cannot drop the charge—only the state has that power. With this in mind, it is critical that you work with a criminal defense attorney to help contest a charge involving domestic violence.

Meet With an Ellicott City, MD Assault Lawyer Today

Crimes of violence often come with stricter prosecution than other offenses. At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we can help defend you against accusations of assault, protecting your rights in court. We handle every case with compassion, working out a strong defense strategy without judgment. The outcome of your case matters to us, and we will support you from the beginning to the end of the legal proceedings.

The earlier you contact us, the sooner we can start preparing your defense. Call us at 301-589-9500 or contact us online to schedule a complimentary consultation.