Takoma Park, MD Assault Defense Lawyer

Reliable Assault Defense Attorney for Clients in Takoma Park, Maryland

Sometimes, aggressive conduct can rise to the level of a criminal offense. In Maryland, the crime of assault can have grave consequences for the accused, with long-lasting penalties for a conviction. If you have been charged with misdemeanor or felony assault in Maryland, your best course of action is to reach out to a skilled legal professional for representation and counsel.

At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we have the experience and knowledge to effectively defend clients against allegations of violent crimes, including assault. Our Takoma Park criminal defense lawyer can assess your situation and work with you one-on-one to work out an optimal strategy.

What Is Second-Degree Assault?

In Maryland, the crime of assault is separated into two degrees by severity. Second-degree assault is the less serious of the two offenses, but it is by no means a "slap on the wrist."

You may be surprised to learn that you can be charged with second-degree assault even if the act does not result in injury to the alleged victim. In fact, you do not even need to make physical contact with the other party. Offensive physical contact, as well as acts or gestures that put the other party in fear of reasonable harm, may be charged as assault in the second degree in Maryland.

Assault in the second degree is classified as a misdemeanor in Maryland, with a maximum prison sentence of 10 years if you are convicted. As part of the sentence, the judge can also impose a fine of up to $2,500.

What Is First-Degree Assault?

In Maryland, you may face charges of first-degree assault for intentional acts that threaten to cause or result in serious injury to another person. This includes drawing a gun on another person, regardless of whether or not you pulled the trigger. Other acts of first-degree assault may include knocking somebody unconscious with a punch, stabbing another person, or throwing a heavy object at someone else.

Allegations of first-degree assault are taken seriously by the courts. This crime is considered a felony, with a possible prison sentence of up to 25 years.

Is Domestic Violence Charged as Assault?

The only difference between assault and domestic violence in Maryland is the offender's relationship with the alleged victim. If you are accused of assault on a family member, your case could be prosecuted more harshly than if you had simply been accused of assaulting a stranger.

In many cases involving accusations of domestic violence, the alleged victim may seek to drop charges. However, a prosecutor may still choose to pursue a conviction even if the victim does not want to.

Assault Defense Strategies in Maryland

The best strategy for an assault should factor in the circumstances behind your arrest. Our criminal defense attorney can employ different arguments to challenge an assault charge, such as:

• Arguing that you were acting within reasonable self-defense
• Asserting that you did not intend to harm or threaten the victim in any way
• Disputing false allegations made against you
• Pointing to a lack of evidence supporting the prosecution's argument

When you work with our firm, we will do everything we can to minimize the charges against you.

Meet With a Takoma Park Assault Defense Attorney

At The Law Offices of Gerstenfield & Demirji, PC., we can help you put up a strong defense against accusations of assault in court. We can work with you from the beginning of your case, advising you of your options and making sure that you are informed of your rights.

We are available 24/7 for client inquiries. To schedule a free initial consultation with our firm, call our offices at 301-589-9500 today or reach out to us online.