First, second, and third degree assault are all considered felonies with first degree being the most serious of them all. In order for a person to be charged with first degree assault in Minnesota, the act must have created a high probability of death or caused serious impairment or disfigurement. The act may have also been allegedly committed under the attempted use or use of deadly force on a correctional or peace officer if the officer was on the job at the time.
Regardless of the type of assault you have been charged with and why, it is imperative to seek the services of an assault lawyer Minneapolis knows can get results. For years, Mark Herman has assisted clients in court, helping them achieve the best possible outcome so they can move on with their lives and put the assault matter behind them.
A Dedicated Minneapolis Felony Assault Attorney
If you have been arrested and charged with any degree of felony, you have the right to defend yourself. Regardless of whether or not there is any merit behind the charge, there may be factors in your case that play heavily in your favor.
Even if the result is having a first degree assault charge downgraded to a second degree charge, the penalties are lesser, just as they are lesser with a third degree charge over first or second degrees. Sometimes it is even possible to have the charges dismissed because of facts that are presented that prove the charges should have never been made in the first place or that all or part of the arrest process was seriously flawed.
Working Hard To Avoid Felony Assault Penalties
The penalties for first degree assault involve up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $30,000. There is a 10 year minimum prison sentence with no possibility of work release or early release. If the assault is one that caused great bodily harm, then the minimum prison sentence is 74 months if the offender had no criminal record prior to the offense.
Second degree felony assault carries a maximum penalty of 7 years in prison and a fine of $14,000. This form of assault involves a dangerous weapon and if that weapon caused some kind of bodily harm, then the penalty could be a $20,000 fine and 10 years in prison.
Third degree felony assault has a penalty of up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Mark Herman is an assault attorney Minneapolis courts have seen have such charges reduced time and time again, resulting in a felony becoming a gross misdemeanor and gross misdemeanors become misdemeanors. The lesser the charge and/or conviction, the better chance the client has at a productive future.
Contact A Minneapolis Assault Lawyer
If you have been accused of assault, it is not the end of the road for you. Assault accusations can be easily inflated or the assault may never have occurred at all. Perhaps the physical altercation was the result of self defense. No matter the reason for the charge, it pays to have a criminal attorney Minneapolis residents have trusted when accused of a crime. To learn more about how the Law Office of Mark Herman can help you, call 24/7 at 612-382-4545 for a free consultation.
