Orangeburg County Assault Lawyer

If you are charged with assault in Orangeburg County, you need experienced legal counsel to defend your constitutional rights. An assault charge is considered an offense of violence. Violent offenses tend to be taken very seriously by prosecutors and courts. Depending on the facts of your case, you could face either a misdemeanor or felony version of the charge, but both are serious criminal charges.

If you face assault charges in Orangeburg County, an experienced Orangeburg County assault lawyer can help you build a customized defense to fit your needs. Schedule a consultation to get started today.

Assault Charges in South Carolina

When one person touches another person unlawfully, that is a basic assault. An assault is not always a fight where punches are thrown, it can be much more or less than that. State law sets forth various levels of severity for assault charges depending on the type of touch perpetrated by a defendant and the severity of any harm produced by the unlawful touching.

Generally, the more serious the injuries caused to a person the more serious the assault charge will be. Assault charges can also be more serious depending on the type of touch, especially if the illegal touching is sexual in nature.

Simple Assault

Commonly called a simple assault, this charge is actually an assault and battery in the third degree. A normal fight without severe injuries typically falls into this category, especially when no weapon is used. This offense is a misdemeanor. Penalties include up to thirty days in jail and a maximum fine of up to $500.

Second Degree Assault

If the assault causes moderate bodily injury to the other person, or that type of injury could have resulted from the conduct, the defendant can be charged with second degree assault. This offense also include non-consensual contact with another person’s private areas.

If convicted, the defendant could face up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. As a felony offense, the defendant could also lost the right to own a gun, serve on a jury, and vote in elections.

First Degree Assault

First degree assault can occur when the other person suffers great bodily injury or other types of non-consensual touching of a person’s private parts. It can also occur when the assault occurs in conjunction with certain other criminal offenses, such as:

• Theft
• Kidnapping
• Robbery
• Burglary

If convicted of this offense, the defendant could face up to ten years in prison.

Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature

The most serious category of assault under state law can result in up to twenty years in prison. A strong defense is incredibly necessary in these types of cases.

Defending Your Case

A strong criminal defense can make or break a defendant’s case. Common criminal defenses include:

• Filing a suppression motion
• Providing an alibi
• Show mistaken identity
• Prove that the harm was not serious
• Present reasonable doubt

While there are many more defenses available, these represent common legal defenses that may apply to a defendant’s case.

Allow an Assault Attorney in Orangeburg County to Defend You

When you face these serious criminal charges you need to put up a strong defense. Never let a prosecutor make you think there is no hope in defending your case. A knowledgeable attorney can help you understand your options and build you a customized defense.

Contact an experienced Orangeburg County assault lawyer to get started on your defense.