People who are arrested for assault face potentially life-altering consequences. Depending on the alleged victim’s identity and the circumstances of the alleged misconduct, an assault conviction could lead to years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
When you or someone you love is involved in an assault arrest in Carrollton, you should retain a defense lawyer immediately. Contact an assault attorney at J. Ryan Brown Law today for legal support.
There are two types of assault in Georgia: simple and aggravated. The type of assault charges you are facing affects the penalties you may receive upon conviction.
In Carrollton, you can face arrest, charges, and a conviction for simple assault if you attempt to cause a violent injury to another person or do something that puts them in reasonable fear that you will injure them. Simple assault is a misdemeanor, and most arrests for simple assault lead to a potential punishment of no more than 12 months in county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.
Aggravated assault is when someone commits assault with:
In contrast to simple assault, aggravated assault is a felony. That means its punishment is much more server, with at least one year in state prison and potentially up to 20 years. This sentence can, however, be served on probation. The sentence for an aggravated assault may also include a fine of thousands of dollars.
Being detained is not the same as being arrested. Someone who is detained may quickly be released after law enforcement evaluates the situation. In contrast, an arrest occurs when an officer places someone in handcuffs and reads their Miranda Rights. If police in Carrollton arrest you for assault, following these tips can help you protect your rights:
Upon your arrest, you have the right to remain silent. Exercise that right to its fullest extent by not saying anything to the police other than that you want a lawyer. Don’t answer any questions. Don’t try to talk your way out of the arrest or explain your actions. Don’t discuss the accusations with a family member on a jail phone line. Simply put, don’t speak to anyone about your assault arrest or the circumstances that led to it unless that person is your lawyer.
While you do not have to answer every question, you should comply with directions from the arresting officer. Complying with the officers will accomplish a couple of things. First and most importantly, it will keep you safe. Second, it will prevent giving the officer any room to try and charge you with obstruction of any sort.
Your rights and future are at extreme risk after an arrest for assault. A lawyer can take immediate steps to secure your release from custody, review the evidence, and begin building a defense against any assault charge you face. There is no benefit to waiting to hire a lawyer—delays only make your case more difficult.
Georgia’s criminal assault laws carry harsh penalties. No matter what alleged misconduct led to your assault arrest in Carrollton, the best way to protect yourself from potentially life-altering consequences is to hire a defense lawyer as soon as possible.
The experienced defense team at J. Ryan Brown Law fights to defend people like you. Contact us online to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional about your or your loved one’s case.
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
J. Ryan Brown Law, LLC
