San Diego Battery Lawyer
If you were charged with battery in California, it is important to understand what that means. While “assault and battery” is a common-enough phrase, assault and battery are two distinct crimes in California. Someone may be charged with assault if they attempted to hurt someone else, even when there was no physical contact. However, physical contact is a required element of the crime of battery.
The California Penal Code defines battery as “any willful and unlawful use of force or violence” against another person. Note that the victim does not have to suffer physical injuries for a battery charge; simply touching someone else in a harmful or offensive way is a crime.
When you need a San Diego battery lawyer, look no further than S&B Legal. Whether you are facing simple battery or aggravated battery charges, a free case evaluation with an experienced criminal battery lawyer can help you understand your rights and your options for protecting those rights.
Understanding Battery Charges and Penalties
S&B Legal defends clients charged with simple, aggravated, and domestic battery in the greater San Diego area.
- Simple Battery. A battery charge is defined as “simple” when it meets the basic definition of battery, including willful touching of someone else which was harmful or offensive, even if no injuries occurred. This crime is a misdemeanor, which comes with up to six months in prison and up to $2,000 in monetary penalties for those convicted.
- Aggravated Battery. When an alleged victim was injured or was a peace officer, firefighter, EMT, paramedic, or another member of a statutorily protected class, the crime may be considered “aggravated,” carrying significantly higher penalties. Depending on the facts, you could face misdemeanor or felony charges with up to four years in prison.
- Sexual Battery. Sexual battery is a separate crime, in which the accused allegedly made contact with another person’s genitals, buttocks, female breasts, or inner thigh against the victim’s will, for sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse. This can be a misdemeanor crime or a felony, depending on the circumstances.
- Domestic Battery. Domestic battery is battery against a current or former spouse, partner, fiancé, cohabitant, coparent, or significant other. If convicted of this crime, a defendant faces up to one year in jail, a $2,000 fine, and/or probation. Some convicted persons must also complete treatment programs, contribute funds toward battered women’s shelters, and reimburse victims for counseling and related expenses.
S&B Legal Is an Experienced San Diego Battery Lawyer
Being convicted of battery in California can come with serious consequences and impact your life in unexpected ways. Scheduling a free case evaluation with a skilled, knowledgeable San Diego criminal defense law firm is the first step in fighting battery charges. No law firm can guarantee acquittal or dismissal of the charges, but our legal professionals are committed to protecting our clients’ rights — and their freedom.
At S&B Legal, our focus is on defending people accused with battery and other crimes, providing high-quality service at an affordable price. We understand the California criminal justice system well, and we are adept at navigating legal nuances and overcoming challenges.
Asserting Available Defense Strategies to Strengthen Your Case
Of course, being charged with a crime does not mean you are guilty of that crime. Your legal team will work closely with you to understand the facts and circumstances of the alleged crime. Using this information, we will work to build a robust defense against the charges. Defense strategies may include acting in self-defense or in defense of another person. In some cases, your lawyer will argue that the alleged physical contact was not willful or that it was not harmful or offensive, and therefore does not meet the definition of “battery.”
If you are facing battery charges in the San Diego area, you need a skilled S&B Legal defense attorney in your corner. Contact us for a free consultation with an experienced battery defense lawyer today!
