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Louisiana Assault and Battery Attorney

Assault and Battery Attorney in Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, & Ruston, LA

Assault and battery are considered violent crimes under Louisiana law that can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on the circumstances of the case. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors often charge assault and battery together, but in reality, they are two different charges. Each charge carries the potential to be a felony charge based on how badly the victim was hurt.

If you were arrested for or face assault and/ or battery charges in Louisiana, you could face serious consequences if you fail to take these charges seriously. A Louisiana assault and battery attorney like Eric G. Johnson of The John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC will take steps to protect your rights at each turn of the criminal process.

Difference Between Assault and Battery

Assault and battery are different but related offenses that usually occur during the same incident. An assault is the threat of physical violence. Words and actions that create a credible threat to carry out an act of violence can make up an assault. A person who swings his fist at another person and misses has assaulted that person. Any intentional act or threat that reasonably causes a person to fear imminent bodily harm is considered assault under Louisiana law.

Once the assailant acts upon the threat of violence by making unwanted physical contact with the victim, he commits a battery. Battery often results in actual physical harm or involves offensive touching.

Assault Crimes in Louisiana

Simple assault
Aggravated assault
Aggravated assault with a firearm
Aggravated assault on a peace officer
Assault on a school teacher
Assault with a motor vehicle

Battery Crimes in Louisiana

Simple battery
Aggravated battery
Second-degree battery
Aggravated second-degree battery
Battery of special victims (the elderly, disabled, school teachers, police officers, and others)

A person who faces charges of assault and battery charges in Louisiana can face harsh criminal and civil penalties. A multitude of hardships await following a misdemeanor or felony conviction:

A criminal record that will reveal itself during any background check
Difficulty obtaining employment, housing, even opportunities for higher education due to the criminal record
Being required to attend counseling
Steep fines and court fees
Probation and/ or jail time

The exact penalties you will face if you are convicted of the charges against you all depend on the severity of the crime of which you are accused. The judge may consider the events that led up to the incident, the severity of the victim’s injuries, whether a weapon was involved, the victim’s age, and the motivation for the crime when determining an appropriate sentence.

In some cases, criminal actions can give way to a civil lawsuit in which a victim can seek financial compensation for the pain and suffering he or she endured. These funds go toward recovering expenses allocated toward medical care and lost wages. The victim can also impose a civil protective order against you which could prevent you from carrying or purchasing a gun legally.

A conviction for a crime of violence such as assault and battery cannot be expunged after the fact. Don’t allow your case to get out of hand; seek the representation of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer in Louisiana who handles assault and battery charges to defend you as soon as possible.