Casa Grande Assault Crimes Lawyer

Comprehensive Defense from Seasoned Legal Professionals

The state of Arizona is known for its strict criminal laws on violent crime. Assault is one of the most frequently charged crimes of violence and carries harsh penalties for those convicted. There are different levels of assault charges depending on the alleged victim and the nature of the alleged assault.

Contact the professionals at Sutton Law, P.C. if you are facing assault charges in Arizona. Schedule a consultation with a Casa Grande assault crimes lawyer.

What Is Assault?

Assault occurs when a person intentionally attempts to inflict harm upon another person. The key component to an assault charge is that one can be convicted of the crime even if no actual harm befell the alleged victim. The charge is simply limited to the threat of violence.

Understanding the Difference: Assault vs Battery

Assault is often coupled with its counterpart, battery, which refers to the actual intentionally infliction of bodily harm upon the victim. A simple assault charge is typically processed as a misdemeanor crime ranging from class 3 to class 1, which is the most serious misdemeanor assault charge.

Types of Assault Charges in Arizona

Examples of actions that may constitute misdemeanor assault charges include:

• Class 3 misdemeanor: Defendant knowingly touched another person with the intention of injuring or harming them.
• Class 2 misdemeanor: Defendant knowingly and intentionally placed another person within reasonable risk of bodily harm. This charge does not require physical touch and simply requires proof that the victim feared serious harm at the time that the assault took place.
• Class 1 misdemeanor: Defendant knowingly, intentionally or recklessly caused another person to sustain bodily harm. The alleged injury can be as minor as a slight bruise in order to constitute a charge.

What Is Aggravated Assault?

In Arizona, aggravated assault is a serious criminal offense that involves intentionally causing physical harm to another person while also involving certain aggravating factors. Aggravated assault is governed by the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) Section 13-1204.

According to Arizona law, aggravated assault occurs when a person commits an assault (intentionally causing physical injury or placing someone in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury) and one or more of the following circumstances apply: