Learn Potential Defense Options to Charges of Aggravated Battery in California

Learn Potential Defense Options to Charges of Aggravated Battery in CaliforniaYou probably have a lot of questions if you or a loved one has been charged with battery or aggravated battery in Southern California. Here’s some basic information about what you can face in court and how to defend yourself. However, speaking with Dan E. Chambers, an experienced criminal defense attorney, is the best approach to acquire answers concerning the specifics of your case. Call Chambers Law Firm right now at 714-760-4088 for a consultation.

What exactly is a battery?

When you knowingly contact someone else in a hurtful or insulting way, you have committed the offense of battery in California. It makes no difference that you never intended to hurt someone. The most important factor is whether you moved to contact them voluntarily, not how much damage you intended to cause.

What is the difference between a battery and aggravated battery?

When the putative victim states that they were subjected to “severe physical injury,” your crime becomes an aggravated battery. In California, there is no clear definition of what constitutes a “severe bodily injury.” Broken bones, concussions, stab wounds or other injuries requiring stitches, organ malfunction, and disfigurement are all instances of what could qualify.

Defenses

An expert attorney can discover methods to help you defend your case or perhaps have all charges dropped if you are accused with severe battery. There are three ways to overcome an aggravated battery charge:

  1. Show that you were acting in self-defense or stepping in to defend others
  2. Show that the witness identified the wrong person, or the police caught the wrong person
  3. Show that what transpired was a result of circumstances beyond your control

Alternatively, if your lawyer can show that the harm was not as significant as the claimed victim says, you may be able to have the charge reduced from aggravated to simple battery.

Sentencing

When you are sentenced, having a top criminal defense attorney makes a tremendous difference. Aggravated battery can be classified as a crime or a misdemeanor. It depends on a variety of issues, including the victim’s injury and your own criminal history.

A misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of one year in county jail, whereas a felony carries a maximum sentence of four years in state prison. That’s not all, though. You could face fines, anger management programs and therapy, protective orders, having your weapons confiscated and destroyed, or even being barred from owning firearms if you are convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

There’s a lot on the line—don’t be afraid to call and ask for assistance!

With Dan E. Chambers as your battery defense lawyer, you can be confident that your case will be given the attention it deserves. Call 714-760-4088 or email dchambers@clfca.com to reach Chambers Law Firm for a free legal consultation.

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