Assault

Rockville, Maryland, Assault Defense Lawyer

An assault charge is a serious matter that can affect your rights, your employment and even your freedom. If you or a family member has been accused of assault, it is important that your case is handled properly by an experienced criminal defense attorney to avoid overly harsh penalties.

At the Law Offices of Michael G. Banks in Rockville, Maryland, our goal is to minimize the effect of assault charges on your life now and in the future. If you have a felony on your record, there are certain types of employment that won't be available to you. Even a misdemeanor conviction can affect you years into the future, since criminal records are available to anyone conducting a background check. If you have an assault conviction on your record, you will have fewer opportunities in terms of employment and in areas such as school choice and renting an apartment.

There are two degrees of assault in Maryland: first degree and second degree. First degree assault is a felony charge; second degree assault is either a misdemeanor or felony, depending on who was assaulted. Whether a prosecutor charges you with first or second degree assault will also be determined by the severity of the injuries and whether a weapon was involved.

One defense in an assault case is that the incident did not occur. Two other defenses include self-defense or defense of another. If you or another person is attacked, you can fight back as long as the level of force used is not excessive.

We believe that proper criminal defense can only be provided based on a comprehensive view of the evidence against you. As your legal representative, attorney Michael G. Banks will find out as much as possible about the criminal charges against you, including actions taken by police on the scene and information from prosecutors. It is important to find out what evidence the state has against you before you give your account of what happened. Any inconsistencies between your account and the state's evidence may be harmful to your case.

Free attorney consultation for criminal and personal injury matters: If you have been charged with assault or battery in Maryland, call 301-251-9161 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case with an experienced Rockville criminal defense lawyer.