Philadelphia Assault Lawyer

Assault Crime Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Delivering Advocacy for Assault Charge Defense in Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania

Assault charges leave you facing a lifetime of consequences. A conviction can threaten your rights, reputation, and freedom, which is why you should never take these charges lightly. With so much at stake in an assault case, you need to make every effort to defend your rights, reputation, and freedom with the services of a Philadelphia assault lawyer.

At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, our Philadelphia assault defense lawyers take these cases seriously because we understand what a conviction can mean. We have more than a dozen seasoned criminal defense attorneys prepared to provide you with sharp legal insight and a custom-tailored defense to help you achieve the most favorable outcome in your case. We have represented clients throughout the Philadelphia area for years against misdemeanor and felony assault charges, and we have developed a reputation for success in these cases.

Part of what makes our law firm so successful is our ability to dismantle the prosecution's case while also supporting our clients with continued and committed legal representation. Instead of facing your charges alone, let a criminal assault attorney in Philadelphia, PA, aggressively defend you inside and outside of court.

Different Types of Assault Charges in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law defines “assault” in different ways. Actions that can qualify as an assault charge range from making threats to physical attacks. Common types of assault charges include:

Simple Assault

In most cases, these charges qualify as a second-degree misdemeanor, resulting from actions such as:

• Trying to cause someone bodily harm
• Deliberately harming someone
• Accidentally hurting someone with a deadly weapon
• Threatening to harm someone

A conviction for simple assault can include consequences of up to two years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

Aggravated Assault

These felony offenses often include actions like:

• Trying to cause serious bodily harm
• Harming a protected individual, such as a teacher, police officer, or paramedic
• Using a deadly weapon during the assault

A conviction for these crimes can result in a first or second-degree felony, and leave you in prison for up to 20 years.

Common Situations that can Lead to Assault Charges in Philadelphia

Many people who receive assault charges had no intention of breaking the law in the first place. In our experience, many of these charges come from:

• Fights in any of the bars in Philadelphia
• Domestic disputes among Philadelphia families
• Self-defense actions or efforts to protect another Philadelphia citizen from harm, often misinterpreted by Philadelphia police
• Road rage incidents between Philadelphia drivers
• Altercations in Philadelphia workplaces
• Confrontations while intoxicated
• False accusations by spouses, ex-partners, or other friends and family
• Misidentification by a witness or a Philadelphia police officer

Our Philadelphia assault lawyers know how to get to the truth of a situation by identifying any inconsistencies in the story and determining what really happened. Our thorough investigations in these cases have helped countless clients get their charges dropped, reduced, or dismissed.

The Penalties for Assault Charges in Philadelphia, PA

The consequences of any conviction depend on the details of the crime. In most cases, a conviction for your assault charges could result in:

• Time in prison or jail
• Fines
• Probation
• Anger management or other programs
• A conviction on your permanent record
• Professional consequences, such as job loss or suspension of a professional license
• Loss of your right to own a gun
• Complications with child custody arrangements
• Trouble with immigration for non-citizens

Any one of these consequences can have a serious impact on your future. Our lawyers recognize what a conviction can cost you, and we are prepared to do everything possible to protect you from these penalties.

Viable Legal Defenses an Assault Crime Attorney in Philadelphia, PA, May Employ

Our Philadelphia assault lawyers do not offer the same boilerplate representation to every client we represent. Instead, we will review the details of your case and explore opportunities to defend you, including:

• Arguing that you acted in self-defense
• Showing that you were acting in the defense of someone else
• Establishing that any harm caused was accidental or misinterpreted
• Proving you were falsely accused
• Demonstrating that the physical altercation was mutual
• Establishing a lack of sufficient evidence

While getting your charges dismissed or dropped is often a faster method of resolving a criminal defense case, we always prepare for litigation using any of these or other possible defense methods.

How to Defend Yourself Against Assault Charges

If you suspect the police are about to charge you with assault, or you have already been charged, follow these steps to protect your best interests:

• Do not talk to the police without legal representation present
• Do not interact with the supposed victim
• Thoroughly document any evidence that could support your version of events
• Immediately reach out to our law firm for continued legal support

Even in cases where the victim does not want to press charges, the state still has the option to prosecute you. The sooner you reach out to our Philadelphia assault lawyers, the stronger our defense can be for you.

Why Choose a Physical Assault Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA, at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim?

Our team of Philadelphia assault lawyers stands out from the competition for our extensive experience, history of handling high-profile cases, and national recognition.

We take the time to look at all of the information in the cases we take, and not just what is in the police report. This way, we can effectively represent you and develop an aggressive and thorough defense that has your best interests at heart.

Speak With One of Our Philadelphia Assault Lawyers Today

If you are facing assault charges, do not attempt to represent yourself. Instead of taking chances with your future, reach out to an assault crime attorney in Philadelphia, PA, for guidance through every step of your defense case. Schedule your free initial consultation by calling us at 215-486-0123 or reach out online to start your pursuit of the optimal outcome in your assault defense case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Assault Crime Defense in Philadelphia, PA