Defending Clients Against Felony Assault and Battery Charges
If you have been charged with aggravated assault or battery in California, you could be facing a substantial prison sentence, the loss of your job, a felony criminal record, and other serious consequences. You need an experienced, dedicated defense attorney on your side.
At The Law Office of Charles B. Smith, we aggressively protect the rights of clients facing serious violent crime charges. San Mateo aggravated assault lawyer Charles B. Smith — a former police officer and former prosecutor — has more than 25 years of legal experience.
Making Sure Your Side of the Story Is Heard by the Court
In California, assault and battery are normally treated as misdemeanors. Certain factors, however, can aggravate these charges, turning them into felonies that carry potential prison sentences of more than a year. The following are the two most common aggravated charges:
- Assault with a deadly weapon: To convict you of this, the prosecutor needs to prove that you used a firearm or other deadly weapon to threaten someone with violence.
- Battery resulting in serious bodily injury: To convict you of this, the prosecutor needs to prove that you physically struck someone who was seriously injured as a result.
The police do not always investigate these cases as well as they should. Very often, whoever "lost" a fight or called 911 first is treated as the "victim," regardless of who actually started the fight or who escalated the conflict by using more than a reasonable level of force.
If you hire our firm to represent you, we will carefully investigate the facts of your case, including your background and the background of your accuser. Mr. Smith will then pursue all available strategies for helping you avoid or reduce the consequences of a conviction.
Call a San Francisco Armed Assault Defense Attorney at 650-425-7703
If you have been charged with a violent crime in California, it is important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free consultation, call us at 650-425-7703 or e-mail us. We accept credit cards, are available outside of regular business hours, and regularly visit our clients who are in jail.
