If you’re facing an assault conviction, you may be up against jail or prison time and a significant fine. A conviction could have long-term implications for your professional and personal life, as well. However, a strong legal defense team could help you stand up against these charges. Our criminal defense lawyer will fight for your future and your freedom.
You don’t need to face your battery charges alone. Our firm’s battery defense lawyer in Bucks County can fight to protect your innocence or reduce your charges. We will use our understanding of Pennsylvania law, knowledge of your rights and potential rights violations, and our experience in criminal law to fight for a positive outcome.
What Is Considered Battery in Bucks County?
Throughout the country, battery refers to crimes involving harmful physical contact. Some states split these crimes into two groups: battery and assault. However, in Bucks County, battery isn’t technically a crime. Instead, harmful physical contact incidents are categorized as simple assault or aggravated assault. Therefore, in Bucks County, battery is a general term, not a technical legal term.
Briefly, this is how simple and aggravated assault differ:
- Simple assault: Simple assault covers less severe instances of harmful physical contact. Unintentionally hurting someone, causing non-serious injury, and mutual scuffles all fall under simple assault. Simple assault is punishable by various misdemeanor charges.
- Aggravated assault: Aggravated assault applies to more serious cases. Intentionally causing injury with a deadly weapon falls into this category, as does physically harming a government employee like a firefighter or police officer. Aggravated assault is punishable by various felony charges.
Simple Assault
More specifically, according to state law, simple assault covers cases involving:
- Attempting or intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly causing bodily injury to another
- Negligently causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon
- Threatening serious bodily injury
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is similar to simple assault but focuses on serious bodily injury cases. These are some examples of aggravated assault, per state law:
- Attempting to cause serious bodily injury
- Causing serious bodily injury
- Attempting to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon
- Causing serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon
Aggravated assault also covers cases that involve the assault of government employees, including:
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- State legal employees
- Medical practitioners
- Teachers
- And more
This is only a general overview of aggravated assault and simple assault. The laws detailing the specifics of these crimes are long, complex, and difficult to understand for the average person. At McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we’re intimately familiar with the specifics of relevant state laws. We can explain how these laws apply to your case and answer any questions you have about the type of crime you’ve been charged with.
How Are Bodily Injury and Serious Bodily Injury Different?
As noted previously, one distinction between simple and aggravated assault is injury type. Crimes involving non-serious injuries tend to fall into the simple assault category, whereas those that include serious injuries are categorized under aggravated assault.
An injury becomes serious under state law when it causes:
- A substantial risk of death
- Permanent loss of an important bodily function
- Scarring or disfigurement
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Bucks County, call (610) 680-7842
Should I Accept a Battery Plea Deal?
Plea deals, or plea bargains, involve a defendant (the person accused of a crime) admitting guilt. This admission is not a one-way street; it provides the defendant with two key benefits:
- Avoids trial: Plea deals prevent trial proceedings. In cases where the prosecution has overwhelming evidence against the defendant, avoiding trial can benefit the case.
- Allows sentencing negotiations: Plea deals are typically contingent on sentencing negotiations. This means that a defense lawyer won’t enter a plea deal unless it benefits their client. During sentencing negotiations, a defense lawyer can reduce their client’s sentence, which might otherwise be impossible if the case proceeded to trial.
Plea deals are most successful when used on a case-by-case basis. Some battery defense cases should end with plea deal negotiations. Others should proceed to trial.
As your legal team at McKenzie Law Firm, P.C., we can advise you on entering a plea deal. If we believe pleading guilty is the best avenue, we’re prepared to negotiate on your behalf. Remember, we will never enter a plea deal without your consent. Like gathering evidence and summoning witnesses, plea deals are simply another tool in the legal toolbox.
Bucks County Battery Defense Lawyer Near Me (610) 680-7842
Should I Hire a Battery Defense Lawyer in Bucks County?
You have the right to legal counsel as an individual accused of a crime. By working with our battery defense lawyer in Bucks County, you can secure several benefits, including:
- We can clearly explain your next steps
- We can answer any questions you have about your case
- We’re responsive and transparent – once you join our firm as a client, you’ll receive the phone number of our lead attorney, David C. McKenzie
- We can advocate for your rights inside and outside the courtroom
- We can conduct a thorough investigation of your case
- We can work towards building a compelling defensive argument
- We can prepare you for trial by discussing courtroom best practices
These services have several intended benefits. First, our priority is to reduce or eliminate your charges. We care about your future, so we want to lower the impact of your charges on your life as much as possible.
Second, we’re here to bring your stress levels down. Being accused of a crime is often worrying, confusing, and frustrating. With us by your side, you can rest easier. We’ll answer your questions and manage every aspect of your case.
Our Reputation
Attorney David C. McKenzie leads our firm and holds several accolades, including the following:
- Has experience working as both a defense lawyer and a prosecutor
- Holds a Juris Doctorate from Penn State University Dickinson School of Law
- Sitting member of the Board of Commissioners for the West Norriton Township
Attorney McKenzie’s legal experience is varied. Since his graduation, he’s worked as a private attorney, an Assistant District Attorney (ADA), and now leads his own defense practice.
This varied legal experience means that Attorney McKenzie understands both sides of the courtroom. He’s prepared to put this insider knowledge to work for you during your battery defense case.
Testimonials
Our client testimonials also provide valuable insight into the benefits of working with our firm:
- “McKenzie Law Firm was available for all our questions. Reassured us during our hearing. Was a true advocate for us. Would recommend him to everyone.” – Dana C.
- “Dave provided excellent representation for my case. Very responsive to questions and was overall a pleasure to work with.” – Geoffrey B.
- “David is an excellent lawyer. He took the time to explain the process with me and was quick to respond to questions. He is highly recommended.” – Mike S.
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