Information About Massachusetts Assault Charges
If you have been charged with any type of assault crime in Boston, you are facing some very stiff penalties. The most simple of assault crimes is found at Chapter 265 section 13a, however assault crimes come in many different forms, from domestic disputes to bar fights. The severity of the assault will depend on several different factors, including whether a weapon was used and who the assault was against.
Assault is a violent crime that typically arises in "the heat of the moment". Unlike other violent crimes, assaults seldom involve any motivation of personal gain. Offenders in aggravated assaults often regret the incident subsequent to its occurrence, as the offender typically knows his or her victim.
In Massachusetts, there are over 50 different assault statutes. They include assault (and battery) crimes against disabled persons, ambulance personnel, children, correctional officers, police officers, public employees, retarded persons, and whether the result of the crime resulted with injury or serious injury.
The most common victims are strangers, acquaintances, romantic partners, parents, children, clients, ex-romantic partners, siblings, spouses, co-workers or employees, neighbors, roommates, schoolmates, or third lovers. The most common fact patterns surround domestic assaults, unprovoked assaults, traffic or parking disputes, disputes between landlords or neighbors, and narcotics-related arguments.
Simple assaults, unlike aggravated assaults, do not involve the use of a dangerous weapon and do not cause serious injury. Even still, when charges are filed you need an aggressive and experienced criminal defense attorney from the Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group to get you through the system – either to help you get charges dropped or severely reduced.
Boston Police Often File Assault Charges
Police are uncomfortable with citizens who assert their rights. When a suspect is uncooperative, dismissive or verbally indignant, some officers take it personally. They make break out the Taser or the handcuffs. They may call for back-up. They may ask witnesses to leave the area. And those officers tend to be the ones who are hoping that the suspect will escalate the confrontation so that one of the officers can provoke the person by patting them down and making threats or accusations. There is a disturbing trend in the number of charges for resisting arrest or assault and battery on a police officer that have been made over the years.
Courtroom-Appointed Lawyer or Private Defense Attorney?
An interesting study was reported in the New York Times discussing the difference between being represented by a public defender as opposed to being represented by a retained attorney in a criminal case. The study was conducted by two economists for Emory University.
The study concluded that in serious cases "the average sentence for clients of public defenders was almost THREE YEARS longer than the average for clients of private attorneys." Moreover, when all cases were considered, the average sentence for clients of public defenders was almost FIVE YEARS longer than the average for clients of private attorneys.
At the Massachusetts Criminal Defense Group, our Boston-area attorneys are accustomed to handling some of the most challenging cases. We've assembled a top-notch team of experienced and aggressive attorneys and, as a result, we are proud of the results that we have generated for our clients.
Fighting Assault Charges? Our Lawyers Can Make a Difference.
The criminal defense attorneys at our firm have earned stellar reputations for our thorough independent investigations and our impeccable attention to detail the preparation of our trial notebooks and cross-examination of police officers. For a free case evaluation, call (800) 461-6900 or use our online form to schedule an appointment and learn about our winning formula.
