28 Aug When is assault aggravated?

On behalf of Jack B. Rubin, PA posted in Weapons Crimes on Friday, August 28, 2015.

Most people in Maryland have fallen out with someone at one time or another. Perhaps you said something you later regretted or perhaps you overreacted to something they said or did. Unfortunately, however justified your actions may have seemed, you could find yourself facing serious criminal charges.

Threatening behavior toward another person could lead to an assault charge, even if you had no intention to harm them. This alone is a serious allegation to face. However, depending on the circumstances of the incident, the charge could even be raised to aggravated assault, which can often carry harsher penalties.

Using a weapon in the commission of an assault is something that can typically elevate the charges to the level of aggravated, as this article on criminal charges explains. As with any assault charge, you do not need to have actually harmed or even touched someone with the weapon in order for the charge to stand. It is enough for them to have feared for their safety as a result of your actions. If they had reason to believe you were going to hurt them, then it is likely that this will count as assault.

If you are faced with a charge of this nature, you may be worried about the future. The consequences of conviction could be serious, ranging from fines to a lengthy prison sentence. You might even find yourself restricted by a protective order, preventing you from going near the alleged victim. An attorney could prove to be an invaluable ally at this trying time. He or she can advise you on how best to proceed with your defense and may be able to help you prepare for your trial.