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DC Assault Offenses

Depending on the circumstances of your charges, you could face a number of DC assault offenses. An experienced attorney could review your case and determine what the best course of legal action may be depending on the charges against you. It is important to understand the type of offense you have been charged with because it may change the penalties you are facing and how your legal representative approaches the case.

Simple Assault

One of the most common types of assault in DC is simple assault, which is an attack without excessive violence. This may include pushing someone to the ground or a brief altercation where there were no serious injuries. Additionally, simple assault does not involve a weapon. Law enforcement charges this act of aggression as a misdemeanor in DC.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault another type of violent attack offense in DC. However, this offense typically involves serious bodily injury or displays extreme indifference to human life. While this type of attack is especially violent, it does not have to involve a weapon.

Aggravated assault can involve beating someone up aggressively and continuing to hit them once they are on the ground, signaling that they are using excessive force and knowing that it can cause serious injury. Other acts of aggression that may constitute aggravated assault include:

Punching
Kicking
Slamming someone’s head into the ground
Throwing a heavy item at someone
Pushing someone down the stairs

An important distinction to make is that the aggressor must have an intent to harm an individual. For example, if someone pushes another person and they happen to trip and fall into traffic and get hit by a car, this action may not be aggravated assault.

Acts of Aggression with a Weapon

Law enforcement may charge someone with assault with a dangerous weapon or with intent to commit mayhem. Assault with a dangerous weapon is attacking or threatening an individual with a weapon, such as knives or firearms. Items that may not typically be used as a weapon may be classified as such under certain circumstances. For instance, if someone attacks another person with a heavy object or tools, police may charge them with assault with a dangerous weapon. Like aggravated assault, this offense is also considered a felony in DC.

Violent Attacks and Other Crimes

Assault with intent to kill or to commit another crime is a serious violent attack offense in DC. The statute that covers this type of violent crime outlaws assault with the intent to kill, rob, poison, to commit first- or second-degree sexual abuse, or child abuse. All of these acts of aggression are charged as a felony that carries a mandatory minimum jail sentence of two years and a maximum of 15 years of incarceration.

Assault with intent to commit any other offense is a slightly different charge. This occurs when someone commits another crime, such as burglary, vandalism, or a drug-related offense. If the prosecutor can prove that the accused committed violently attacked someone with the intent to commit another offense, then they will be convicted with a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail. An individual can also be charged with a specific type of assault if the alleged victim is a police officer who was on duty, which comes with a specific penalty.

Contact an Attorney to Discuss Different Assault Offenses in DC

Most DC assault offenses come with severe consequences. As such, it is extremely important to seek the services of a skilled defense attorney if you are facing allegations such as these. To schedule a case consultation, call today.