How to Understand Assault Charges
Whether you have received an assault charge, or know someone who has, you need to understand exactly what assault charges are, in order to handle them appropriately. Assault is simply when a person has the intent to commit more than verbal harm to someone, or when they threaten someone so they as though they will be faced with bodily harm.
- Consult with an attorney to help you face these assault charges. The cost of obtaining an attorney can become rather expensive, so make sure you have enough money to take you through the entire process. If you do not have enough funds to afford your own attorney, get with the court for a court-appointed lawyer.
- Collect all of the necessary information for you to prepare for your arraignment. This includes information on witnesses, an alibi if you have one, information on your past criminal history and any copies of the police report that was filed.
- Receive your formal criminal charges at the arraignment. Your attorney will explain any charges to you that you do not completely understand. Once you have received these charges, you then work with the attorney to prepare for the hearing. As long as you commit yourself to understanding assault charges, you have a better chance at winning your case. If the defendant does not have sufficient proof, then most cases result without standing trial.
- Become aware of your rights. The Sixth Amendment states that you have a right to a speedy trial, which means you have the right to have the trial handled within a reasonable amount of time after you have been arrested.