Prince William County Assault on an Officer Lawyer

In Virginia, assault on a law enforcement officer, also known as an LEO, is when an individual assaults a person they know is a member of law enforcement. This officer is typically engaging in their official duties at the time of the assault. In addition to police, officers can include judges, medical personnel, firefighters, and prison employees.

If you were accused of an assault against a law enforcement personnel, contact a criminal attorney immediately. An experienced Prince William County assault on an officer lawyer could help protect your rights and raise a credible defense against the charges you face.

How Serious is Assault on an Officer in Prince William County?

Compared to other assault charges in Prince William County, LEO assault is considered especially serious under Virginia law. As a result, these cases are looked upon much more unfavorably by the court and the prosecution.

Common Examples

Prince William County assault on an officer lawyers have witnessed several types of cases. However, the most common examples take place during arrests or in prison.

During arrests, if an individual makes intentional or incidental physical contact with an officer, they are often charged with assaulting an LEO. In prison, if an incarcerated individual makes intentional or incidental physical contact with a guard or another prison employee, they are often charged with assaulting an LEO.

The Use of Body Cameras

Nowadays, most police officers are made to wear body cameras while they are on duty to monitor their actions and the actions of those they engage with.

The prevalent use of body cameras make LEO cases less reliant on the testimonials of the officer or the defendant involved in the case. The availability of clear body camera footage will provide the court with the necessary evidence to either support or negate a charge.

Can Body Cameras Work Against Officers?

If a body camera is purposefully not used during an interaction, or if the audio is purposefully turned off or muffled by an officer, it raises suspicion. This could be used as evidence by a Prince William County assault on an officer lawyer to support a defendant’s claims that they did not assault the officer.

Additional Defense Strategies

Prince William County assault on an officer attorneys do what they can to disprove that a defendant assaulted an LEO. Common arguments used by attorneys are that the physical movement towards the officer was an accident, the movement was not reasonably threatening, the officer was not engaged in their official duties at the time, or that the defendant was in an unstable frame of mind, such as intoxication or mental illness.

Contact a Prince William County Assault on an Officer Attorney

If you were accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer or another public servant, contact a Prince William County assault attorney. A skilled lawyer could examine the relevant evidence and exploit any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Call today to get started.