Seattle Assault Lawyer

Assault is a crime that local prosecutors and law enforcement officials treat seriously. Anytime you face assault charges, you need to take action. You must clearly  understand the charges, your prospects for success, and what is likely to happen. Do not attempt to handle this alone.

Trust a Seattle assault lawyer with a proven track record of successfully helping people in similar situations. A skilled criminal defense attorney could guide you through each step of the criminal justice process, explain your legal options, and help you make informed decisions.

What Constitutes Assault Under Seattle Laws?

Washington state law describes assault broadly as any unwanted contact, or attempt or threat of contact, that a reasonable person would consider to be offensive. A crime can vary in severity from a first-degree assault, which is a Class A felony, to a fourth-degree assault, which is a gross misdemeanor. The amount of force used, whether the alleged assailant used a weapon, who the alleged victim was, and the resulting harm typically determine which type of assault charges a defendant could face. Working with an attorney who is experienced in Seattle’s assault laws and has successfully handled a wide range of assault cases can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case.

Possible Defense Strategies to Assault Charges

Facing assault charges can feel overwhelming, but you have the power to protect yourself. Working with an experienced legal team gives you a strong defense against serious allegations. A hardworking attorney from Seattle will carefully analyze the evidence and determine which type of defense strategy would work best for your individual assault case.

Challenge Credibility

Many assault cases rely primarily on the alleged victim’s version of events. If there were no outside witnesses, these cases can come down to conflicting accounts. A lawyer can investigate whether the accuser had a motive to lie or exaggerate the situation. Unfortunately, while domestic violence remains a very real problem, not every domestic assault accusation is legitimate. Some alleged victims weaponize the process for personal reasons. For instance, someone could make a false allegation of assault just to gain an edge in a divorce or custody dispute.

When cases involve third-party witnesses, a dedicated legal team could examine the witness’s background to see if they have any biases or other factors that could have influenced their account.

Accidental Contact

You may argue that the alleged assault was merely accidental contact. To support this defense, you must provide evidence showing that you did not intend to harm, or even touch, the alleged victim.

Self-Defense

Washington state law permits people to use force to protect themselves if they reasonably believe that someone is going to imminently harm them, someone else, their personal property, or their real estate.

A trusted lawyer will thoroughly review the prosecution’s evidence and construct a defense plan that is tailored to the facts of your case. Your legal team will look for inconsistencies, holes, and weaknesses in the state’s argument to strengthen your defense.

Call a Seattle Assault Attorney to Being Your Defense

If you are facing assault charges, work with a legal team that keeps you informed at each stage of the legal process, so you can make fully informed decisions. Sheed Law Office could work closely with you to pursue the best possible outcome. Call a Seattle assault lawyer who will fight aggressively and tirelessly to defend your rights.