Assault is a criminal charge that can have serious implications for your life. It can lead to a variety of punishments, including fines, probation, community service requirements, and jail or prison sentences. It can also have a negative impact on employment opportunities and housing options due to the presence of a conviction on your criminal record. For this reason, it is crucial to understand the possible outcomes of an assault case if you are charged.

A successful defense strategy can result in charges being dropped or reduced. For instance, claiming self-defense could help avoid conviction, as long as you can demonstrate that your actions were a reasonable response to an immediate threat. Similarly, demonstrating lack of intent is another possible way to avoid an assault conviction. Intent plays a critical role in determining whether or not someone committed an act of violence, and it is often difficult to prove without sufficient evidence.

The law defines assault as an intentional act that puts someone in reasonable apprehension of immediate harmful or offensive contact. This doesn’t necessarily mean that physical contact was actually made, as the threat or attempt to make harmful contact is enough.

Assault charges can range from a misdemeanor offense to a class B felony, with the penalty depending on the degree of the crime. You may be charged with assault in the third degree if you start a fight and cause minor injuries, or you could face a more serious second degree assault if your victim suffered serious injury or you used a deadly weapon. It is also possible to be charged with assault on a peace officer, police officer, or firefighter, which is a class B felony.