Battery charges are taken very seriously by law enforcement officials and courts in Fairfax. A conviction for assault and battery could label a person as a violent criminal, which may have a drastic impact on a person’s personal, social, and professional life. If you are facing Fairfax battery charges, reach out to an experienced assault attorney immediately to learn your rights. An accomplished criminal lawyer could review your allegations and champion your case.
The first thing that a person in Fairfax should do if they are charged with assault and battery is to contact an attorney. Defendants are advised not to talk to the officers about what happened or make a statement without an attorney present even before they are charged. A seasoned lawyer could explain to the individual what their rights are and what steps they need to take next.
The time length of an assault and battery case process depends on the facts of the case. If it is a sexual assault and battery or rape case, or if it involves abuse of minors, it could take months or even years of investigation. However, cases involving a quick fight between two individuals may only take a short period of time. Depending on whether it is a misdemeanor or felony, the case could pend for a couple of months before it is resolved or it could pend for a couple of years.
Fairfax courts treat assault and battery charges very seriously since they are crimes of violence. Since courts do not want to allow a person who committed a crime of violence to go free, judges tend to weigh the facts carefully before making their decision. Prosecutors also tend to try battery offenses more severely than other types of crimes. Given how Fairfax battery charges are handled by authorities, accused individuals may find it prudent to contact a seasoned defense attorney for guidance.
Aggravating factors that impact how battery charges are treated in Fairfax include the injured person’s age, relationship to the perpetrator, and alleged victim’s status. If it is a hate crime assault and battery and the prosecution is claiming the defendant committed some type of bodily injury against the individual because of their race, religious conviction, color, or national origin, the defendant could be facing a felony.
A misdemeanor could also be bumped up to a felony because of the injured person’s characteristics and the reason they were selected by the defendant. If it is an assault and battery against a member of law enforcement, the offense is a felony with a mandatory minimum of six months confinement. If the injured person was a teacher or a full-time or part-time employee of a public or private school and was engaged in the performance of their duties when the assault occurred, the offender could be facing harsher penalties.
Fairfax battery charges are some of the most heinous criminal charges a person may face. Depending on the nature of the allegation and the individuals involved, a defendant could face extended periods of time in prison if convicted. Even after serving time for the accusation, a person could be barred from future employment or housing opportunities by the resulting criminal record they would acquire. Speak with a knowledgeable lawyer immediately about what to do when facing battery charges.