If you have been arrested and charged with the crime of battery in Idaho, to avoid facing a severe battery penalty and having a criminal record of a violent crime, you will need the best battery defense lawyer you can get to protect your rights, guide you through the legal process, and build the most effective possible defense for you.
Battery and assault are the two most common types of violent crime in Idaho. These are two different crimes involving entirely different actions, potential punishments, and defenses. Battery is the more serious of the two types of crime and carries harsher penalties.
A top criminal assault defense lawyer in Boise, Idaho, can help you fully understand all your legal options for your defense and fight for you in court.
Click to jump to content:
- What is Battery? What is Assault?
- Penalties for Battery Charges
- What are the Types of Battery Crimes?
- What To Do If You Have Been Arrested For Battery
- Contact the Top Battery Defense Lawyer in Idaho
What is Battery? What is Assault?
Battery is an intentional act of physically touching someone in an offensive or injurious way or without their permission. Depending on a given situation, a wide array of actions may be interpreted as a battery.
Assault is the act of verbally threatening or physically attempting to injure someone. (I.C. 18-901) A crime of assault or battery can be classed as either a misdemeanor or felony, based on the case's particulars.
Additionally, sentencing enhancements can be applied to increase punishments in extreme cases.
If you are charged with one of these crimes, you need to refrain from discussing the matter with the police until you contact an aggravated battery lawyer in Boise, Idaho, for guidance.
Penalties for Battery Charges
A battery conviction typically carries misdemeanor penalties of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. More serious battery charges bring more severe misdemeanor or felony charges.
What are the Types of Battery Crimes?
There are various kinds of battery crimes under Idaho law. The class of battery offense is determined by the particular status of the victim, or the severity of the offender’s actions in the crime, for example:
- Battery against a police officer
- Battery against a public defender
- Battery against an emergency worker
- Battery with the use of a deadly weapon
- Battery that causes a serious injury
Depending on the victim’s status, a misdemeanor battery charge may be escalated to aggravated battery, which is a felony. For example, battery against a police officer, or a firefighter, or with a deadly weapon. Classes of battery in Idaho include:
- Battery: This is any offensive touching, other bodily contact without permission, injuring someone, or using force against someone.
- Aggravated Battery: Battery against a victim of a particular class, such as a police officer or EMT, or battery intentionally causing a severe injury, or using a deadly weapon is aggravated battery.
The type of criminal charges and facts of the case determine the most practical defense options. For example, a defendant might be acquitted on battery charges if he or she did not intend to cause the injury that occurred to the victim, although the accused might still face civil charges.
You may need a domestic battery lawyer, a sexual battery lawyer, or an attorney with other special expertise in Idaho battery charge law, depending on the facts of your case.
What To Do If You Have Been Arrested For Battery
If you are facing battery charges, you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer with a strong track record in battery trials. Your lawyer will make sure that all your rights are fully protected and help you weigh your options so you can make an informed decision on the best approach to your defense.
Your attorney will build the best possible case for your defense. An experienced Idaho battery lawyer can sometimes negotiate to have charges substantially reduced or even dropped entirely. Ultimately, your lawyer will successfully settle your case or stand up and fight for you in court.
Arrested for Battery – Sawtooth Defense Lawyers, Boise ID
We know what it takes to win for defendants facing battery charges in Idaho. Having a top regional criminal defense team is the best strategy to avoid having a criminal record of a violent crime.
