Athens Assault Lawyer

Athens Assault Attorney

Being accused of assault can significantly impact your future in various ways. It’s critical that you consult a qualified Athens assault lawyer as soon as you can to avoid unnecessary consequences. Assault laws and the court process can be complex and difficult to manage on your own. That’s why it’s a good idea to rely on the skills and experience of a seasoned lawyer.

The Fleming Firm, a criminal defense law practice based in Lawrenceville, GA, is dedicated to upholding the rights of our clients. When you work with our qualified and skilled team of legal professionals, you can receive consistent updates about the progression of your case while we advocate on your behalf.

When Should I Hire an Assault Lawyer?

If you’ve been accused of committing assault or you’ve already been arrested and charged, you should hire an assault lawyer. To effectively protect your rights and give yourself a strong chance of securing a successful outcome to your case, it’s highly advised that you consult with an Athens assault attorney. These are some of the criminal charges you may face if accused of assault:

• Simple assault. Assault is defined as the attempt to violently injure another person or the attempt to put them at risk of physical harm.
• Aggravated assault. This form of assault involves committing assault with the intention of robbing, murdering, or sexually assaulting the victim. Aggravated assault can also include when the offender utilizes a deadly weapon during the course of the assault.
• Simple battery. While assault is the attempt to cause bodily harm, battery is when actual physical contact is made. Simple battery may include punching, hitting, kicking, slapping, shoving, or biting another person.
• Aggravated battery. Battery charges may be elevated if the bodily harm inflicted on the victim was malicious to the extent that it resulted in the loss of normal use of one or more body parts.
• Domestic violence. In Georgia, assault or battery that occurs between family members is often designated as an aggravated assault crime.

There are circumstances that can aggravate criminal charges and increase the severity of potential penalties. These include an assault on a public safety officer, including firefighters and law enforcement, assault with a deadly weapon, and assault with the intent to rape or rob the victim. It’s important to work with a capable defense attorney who can negotiate to reduce these charges and potentially argue for minimal penalties depending on your unique case.

Across the state of Georgia, a violent crime occurred nearly every 15 minutes in 2024. This includes various assault crimes. An aggravated assault occurred every 21 minutes across the state that year, with a total of 24,849 incidents reported.

Assault cases in Athens are generally handled at the Clarke County Courthouse, which is located at 325 East Washington Street, Athens, GA 30601. Be sure to ask your attorney where your case is most likely to be processed, as the specific legal venue can vary depending on the circumstances.

FAQs

What Are the Types of Assault in Georgia?

In the state of Georgia, there are multiple types of assault charges you may encounter. Simple assault is defined as when a person attempts to inflict bodily harm against someone else or attempts to put them at such risk of physical harm.

Aggravated assault is when there is an additional intent to rob, murder, or sexually assault. Simple battery is when the assault results in actual physical contact. Aggravated battery entails inflicted harm that permanently impacts the victim’s body.

Is It Considered Assault if Both People Fought?

Yes, in Georgia, it can still be considered assault even if both parties participated in the fighting. This is recognized as mutual combat, wherein individuals willingly choose to engage in a physical altercation. However, even those who engaged in mutual combat may be charged with assault and even face penalties if convicted. If you or the other party argues that the assault was in self-defense, this can impact the case, so be sure to consult a lawyer about your situation.

What Are the Penalties for Assault in Georgia?

The penalties for an assault crime in the state of Georgia can vary. Specific penalties vary depending on the type of crime, the severity of the assault, whether you have a history of similar convictions, and other relevant details.

Penalties for assault crimes often include a jail or prison sentence, a large fine, probation, community service, mandatory restitution, and other punishments deemed appropriate. In addition to these penalties, an assault conviction can make it difficult to find employment or housing.

How Does an Assault Defense Lawyer Help Me?

When you work with an assault defense lawyer, their representation and counsel can bring numerous benefits. Your lawyer is there to provide thoughtful legal advice and strategy tailored to your unique case, while remaining compassionate and ready to collaborate with you.

An attentive attorney is also there to address your questions, explain your legal options, and update you as the case progresses. As your representation, your lawyer also ensures the proceedings are fair and your rights are protected.

How Long Does an Assault Crime Case Take?

It’s difficult to estimate how long an assault crime case may take to fully resolve, but most cases take anywhere from a couple of months to a year or longer to finish. There are multiple factors that go into the timeline of a criminal case. Factors that can impact how long legal proceedings take include the complexity of the case, such as what evidence is available, the severity of the alleged offense, whether there are court delays, and other important details.

Speak With a Skilled Assault Defense Lawyer

If you’ve been charged with an assault crime, The Fleming Firm can help you no matter the circumstances of your case. Our team is committed to showing compassion and empathy to each of our clients. Reach out to us today to schedule an initial consultation with experienced criminal defense attorney, Preston Fleming.