What You Should Know About Fairfax Assault Cases

Assault is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, which means that it is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and carries the possibility of a $2,500 fine.  Assault is also a criminal charge, which means that it will permanently remain on a person’s criminal record and have long-lasting influence on their ability to obtain and retain employment and even housing. Because it can be difficult knowing what to do when facing these charges, it is always in someone’s best interest to contact an experienced Fairfax assault defense attorney as soon as possible. After reviewing the facts of the case, they will be able to recommend the proper course of action, provide legal advice and clarity on the specific charges, and inform them of their rights.

How Assault Cases are Investigated

It depends on the nature of the assault. For a bar fight, law enforcement are probably going to show up to the scene and conduct interviews of the patrons.  Unless the victim of the crime receives a serious injury, there might not be a follow-up investigation.

If there is a malicious wounding case in which people are very seriously injured or almost die, then law enforcement will conduct a very thorough investigation.

The nature of the offense will dictate how much investigation is needed and how much resources the police department would want to put into following up. A lot of times, the issue of who committed the offense in simple assault-type cases is obvious, which means more intensive investigation is not necessarily needed.

Ways a Fairfax Assault Attorney Can Help

It is important to hire an attorney with experience in Fairfax County for an assault case because you could be facing very serious consequences. This is especially true if you have been alleged to commit a felony assault, which carries with it a prison sentence.

It is always best to have an attorney who has experience in the jurisdiction in which you have been charged, as they are familiar with the processes and laws surrounding the charge. A Fairfax assault defense attorney will also know what to expect when you go to court, and advise you on such. Additionally, they already have experience in dealing with the prosecuting attorneys previously, which means they understand how the prosecution works. A Fairfax defense attorney will also have experience appearing before the judges who are going to hear the case.

Having someone who is comfortable and confident in that jurisdiction is very important. You want somebody who has expertise and experience with both the parties involved and the procedure.

What to Look for in an Attorney

When considering attorneys, you should look at the person’s level of experience. Do they practice solely criminal defense, or do they do other things? Is the majority of their practice civil work but they do some criminal work as well? You want to ask about the attorney’s criminal experience, what types of background they have, and whether they have tried a lot of cases.