Waldorf Aggravated Assault Attorneys

Lawyers for Felony Assault Charges in Waldorf, MD

Charges of assault can be serious, especially in situations that allegedly resulted in serious injuries or involved other aggravating factors. When a person is arrested and charged with aggravated assault, which is known as first-degree assault in Maryland, they can face much more serious penalties than would apply for simple assault charges. A person who is convicted of felony assault may be sentenced to years or decades in prison, and they may experience other consequences that could affect them for the rest of their life.

At Farmer & Klopfer, our attorneys can provide the defense needed in cases involving allegations of aggravated assault. We have extensive experience defending clients against misdemeanor and felony charges, and we understand the defense strategies that are most likely to be successful in these cases. Our team is committed to meeting our clients' needs and providing them with compassionate legal support during criminal cases.

Aggravating Factors That Can Lead to First-Degree Assault Charges

There are certain issues that separate aggravated assault cases from simple assault charges. The factors that can lead to felony assault charges may include:

Use of a Firearm

A person who allegedly used a firearm when committing assault, including a handgun, rifle, shotgun, machine gun, or any other regulated firearm, may be charged with first-degree assault. Felony charges may apply in these cases, regardless of whether a serious injury occurred. A weapon does not need to be fired. Accusations that a person displayed a gun or pointed a firearm at another person during an assault may lead to a felony assault charge.

Serious Physical Injuries

When a person is accused of causing someone else to suffer serious harm during an assault, they may be charged with a felony offense. A serious injury that may lead to first-degree assault charges may include any forms of harm that put a person at risk of being killed, as well as injuries that led to permanent disabilities or disfigurement. Examples may include severe head trauma, stab wounds that damaged internal organs, or injuries that required emergency surgery.

Intent to Cause Serious Harm

Even if the victim of an alleged assault did not suffer a serious physical injury, prosecutors may pursue a first-degree assault charge based on accusations that a person intended to cause a serious injury. An attack with a dangerous weapon or other conduct that indicated that a person was trying to inflict severe bodily harm may lead to felony charges.

Strangulation or Suffocation

A person who chokes or strangles someone can inflict serious injuries or put someone at risk of death. Because of these risks, a person who is accused of strangling someone during an assault could be charged with first-degree assault. Strangling may include any forms of choking or applying pressure to the neck or throat that prevented a person from breathing correctly or affected their blood circulation.

Penalties for a First-Degree Assault Conviction

First-degree assault is a felony offense. A person who is convicted may be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison. While there is no mandatory minimum sentence, courts may consider the facts of a case, a defendant's criminal history, and other factors to determine an appropriate sentence, and a person may be required to serve a lengthy term in prison.

In addition to a prison sentence, a first-degree assault conviction can have many other effects on a person's life. The collateral consequences of a felony conviction will continue to affect a person long after they complete their sentence. The areas of their life that may be affected include:

Employment

Many employers conduct background checks before hiring employees. When a person has a felony on their record, they may be less likely to be hired. A felony assault conviction may also disqualify a person from holding a job in certain fields, such as healthcare, education, financial services, law enforcement, and many government positions. A person who holds a professional license may face disciplinary action, including the revocation of their license, the refusal to renew a license, or the inability to obtain a license in the future.

Housing

Landlords will often screen tenants and perform background checks to review their criminal history. A felony record may result in housing applications being denied. Housing options may be limited for people who have been convicted of felony assault, and they may struggle to maintain secure housing.

Firearms Rights

A felony conviction will result in a lifetime prohibition on owning or possessing firearms. The possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a federal crime, and a person who violates these restrictions could face serious penalties.

Family Law Matters

A violent crime conviction may play a role in a family law case, including child custody proceedings. Courts may consider a parent's criminal history when making decisions about custody and visitation, and they may restrict a parent's rights in order to ensure that children's health and safety will be protected. If an offense allegedly involved domestic violence, a parent may be more likely to face child custody restrictions.

Voting and Civic Rights

A person who has been convicted of a felony will lose their right to vote while they are serving a prison sentence and while they are on parole or probation. They may also face other types of limitations, such as restrictions on serving on a jury.

Contact Our Waldorf, Maryland Aggravated Assault Lawyers

Because first-degree assault is a felony offense, a strong defense can be crucial. The steps taken in the early stages of a case may affect the way criminal charges will be handled and the options for defense that may be available. The lawyers at Farmer & Klopfer can provide guidance on how to defend against aggravated assault charges, and we can provide the representation needed to make sure these matters can be resolved successfully. Contact our Waldorf aggravated assault defense attorneys at 301-843-3890 to set up a free consultation.