Phoenix, AZ Assault Lawyer

In legal terms, “assaulting” someone else can have numerous different meanings in Arizona, from intentionally causing someone to sustain a life-threatening injury to making what a police officer considers to be aggressive physical contact with another person. Regardless of what specifically you have been accused of doing, though, being formally charged with assault is a very serious matter that can lead to severe criminal sanctions in the event of a conviction.

Fortunately, you have help available from a Phoenix, AZ assault lawyer with proactively managing your criminal proceedings and protecting your rights along the way. At Phillips Law Group, our criminal defense attorneys have decades of experience helping people like you with cases like yours all over the Phoenix metro area, and working closely with one of our team members is key to minimizing the long-term repercussions that this experience has for you.

What Qualifies as Misdemeanor Assault in Phoenix?

Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1203 defines three distinct forms “misdemeanor assault” can take, each of which a seasoned Phoenix, AZ assault attorney can help construct a strong defense against. The least severe variant is committing assault by “knowingly touching” someone else with the intent of provoking or injuring them, which is a class 3 misdemeanor carrying a maximum 30-day jail sentence and a $500 fine plus surcharges upon conviction.

Intentionally making someone else reasonably fear that they are about to experience physical injury upgrades the offense to a class 2 misdemeanor, which means the maximum jail term rises to four months in length, and the maximum fine rises to $750 plus surcharges. Finally, intentionally or recklessly causing any physical injury whatsoever to someone else is a class 1 misdemeanor carrying up to a six-month jail term and a $2,500 fine plus surcharges. All forms of misdemeanor assault can also carry additional penalties like probation, community service requirements, and mandatory anger management counseling.

Possible Consequences of “Aggravated Assault”

As per A.R.S. §12-1204, an act of assault as defined in A.R.S. §12-1203 becomes felony aggravated assault if any of the following aggravating conditions apply:

  • The alleged assault resulted in “serious physical injury” and/or disfigurement
  • The defendant used an actual or simulated “deadly weapon” or “dangerous instrument”
  • The target of the alleged assault was physically restrained at the time
  • The defendant entered a private residence with intent to commit assault, and then successfully committed assault against an occupant
  • The defendant is older than 18, and the target of the alleged assault is under 15 years old
  • The defendant’s alleged actions constituted a violation of a legally enforceable order of protection
  • The target of the alleged assault was a police officer, healthcare worker, firefighter, teacher, or other public/government employee
  • The defendant attempted to or successfully took possession of a police officer’s service weapon or other implement
  • The defendant was imprisoned and allegedly assaulted a correctional officer or employee
  • The defendant allegedly impeded the breathing and/or blood circulation of the target of the alleged assault

Depending on which specific aggravating condition applies, aggravated assault can be prosecuted as anywhere from a class 6 felony to a class 2 felony, so help from an experienced assault lawyer in Phoenix, AZ is essential to achieving a favorable result from this sort of case.

Work With a Phoenix, AZ Assault Attorney

Assault charges can change the course of your life whether you have an existing criminal record or not. With that in mind, you should think twice before trying to contest an accusation of this nature without first seeking help from knowledgeable legal counsel.

A Phoenix, AZ assault lawyer from Phillips Law Group can give you the custom-tailored legal guidance you need to handle your case as effectively and efficiently as possible. Call today to discuss your legal options with a member of our trusted team.