When you are accused of harming someone else in Iowa, you can be charged with simple, serious, or aggravated assault. The charge of aggravated assault is the most serious one, and it’s likely to result in heavy penalties if you are convicted. This is why you should have an experienced Des Moines assault lawyer on your side, one who is ready to help you stand up for your rights.
When Does Assault Become Aggravated Assault?
An assault can become an aggravated assault charge in a few different ways. Your charge could get upgraded when you are accused of:
- Causing serious injury or intending to
- Attacking a protected employee, like a police officer
- Using or exhibiting a deadly weapon
- Causing mental illness
Will I Go to Jail For Aggravated Assault?
If convicted, you are almost certain to go to prison for aggravated assault. How long you could be put in prison depends on the severity of the charge. General guidelines are:
- For aggravated misdemeanors: Up to two years in jail
- For Class D felony: Up to five years in prison
- For Class C felony: Up to 10 years in jail
What Other Penalties Could I Face?
Prison time isn’t the only thing to worry about. A conviction can also result in plenty of other punishments, including fines ranging from $8,500 to more than $13,000. You could also:
- Lose firearm rights
- Be subjected to civil lawsuits
- Face immigration issues if you are a noncitizen
- Face academic disciplinary action, if you are a student
- Have your professional license suspended or revoked
On top of everything else, you now have a criminal record that anyone can find, and that’s sure to affect you during searches for housing and employment.
Should I Hire a Defense Attorney?
Trying to defend yourself from these charges is likely to be difficult. You should have an experienced attorney on your side, one who’s ready to help you stand up for your civil rights.
A lawyer from our firm can help determine if there are weak points in a prosecutor’s case. Is the witness’s credibility questionable? Is there any damning evidence against you, or is it all circumstantial? How did the prosecutor get the evidence? If a search that found evidence was carried out without a warrant or consent, it could be thrown out.
We can also help you establish your side of the story. If this is a case of mistaken identity or a false accusation, we can point out that you have an alibi. If you did actually harm someone, we can help you argue that you were acting in defense of yourself or others.
Contact Our Law Firm Today
So if you are facing aggravated assault charges, we want to help. Contact Herting Law, PLLC to schedule a consultation. We can take a closer look at your case and help you develop the most effective defense against the accusations that have been leveled against you.
