Bonney Lake Assault

Behind each allegation of assault, there are two sides to the story – that of the alleged victim and that of the accused.

If you or a loved one have been accused of assault in Pierce County, you are entitled to competent legal counsel. You need somebody on your side who can listen to your story and examine the facts of the case.

By contacting an experienced Pierce County assault lawyer, you can get informed insight into the charges and penalties you face and evaluate all the facets of your case to develop the best defense for you.

Our Bonney Lake criminal defense attorneys have provided an Assault Charge FAQ below for all prospective clients because we believe that every person charged with assault in Pierce County deserves to understand the criminal court process for these types of charges.

Although we provide information on this page, if you have been charged with any assault crime, you should contact our Bonney Lake criminal defense firm for a better explanation of how the law may apply to the facts of your case.

Assault is defined as an action against another with intent to cause fear of immediate bodily harm or death, or intentionally inflicts or attempts to inflict bodily harm upon another. Assault charges are serious crimes and require the knowledge and experience of a dedicated and qualified attorney.

On television, we often hear police and lawyers use words like assault and battery interchangeably. Due to this, there can be confusion on what those terms mean. Some states, like Virginia, define assault as an act that implies bodily harm or injury to another person, while battery is the actual, physical act of violence or harm.

In Washington state, there is no separate law for battery. According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), assault charges in Washington state encompass both the implied threat of physical harm or injury and the actual physical act of physical harm or injury.

There are 4 degrees of assault charges-

1.) Assault in the 1st degree is a class A felony and is commonly referred to as “assault with a deadly weapon.” Washington State Statute RCW 9A.36.011 defines Assault in the First Degree as “(1) A person is guilty of assault in the first degree if he or she, with intent to inflict great bodily harm:
(a) Assaults another with a firearm or any deadly weapon or by any force or means likely to produce great bodily harm or death; or
(b) Transmits HIV to a child or vulnerable adult; or
(c) Administers, exposes, or transmits to or causes to be taken by another, poison or any other destructive or noxious substance; or
(d) Assaults another and inflicts great bodily harm.

2.) Assault in the 2nd degree is distinguishable from assault in the first degree primarily in the amount of harm caused, and the type of harm intended to be caused. An example of assault in the second degree is causing bodily harm to an unborn child by intentionally and unlawfully inflicting injury on the mother.

3.) Assault in the 3rd degree is charged when the accused Commits assault to impede a lawful order of the court or in avoidance of being taken into custody.
Assaults a driver of public transportation or a school bus
Assaults a firefighter or police officer
Assaults a nurse, doctor, or other healthcare providers.
Assaults a volunteer, staff member, or educational personnel

4.) Assault in the 4th degree is charged when an assault occurs that does not meet the requirements of an assault in the First, Second, or Third degrees. As of March 18, 2020, Assault in the 4th degree will also be considered an act of domestic violence when the alleged victim is a family or household member or an intimate partner who has been subjected to domestic violence. A DV specification on an Assault 4 charge is likely to come with bigger penalties.

Assault in the 4th degree, the lowest level of assault charges in Pierce County, is considered a gross misdemeanor. Convictions for a gross misdemeanor charge in Pierce County are punishable by

• Up to 364 days in prison
• A fine of up to $5,000

A charge of Assault in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd degree is a felony. Felony charges are considered more serious than misdemeanor charges in Washington state and therefore carry steeper punishments.

There are 3 levels of felony charges in Washington state

1. Class A Felony- punishable by at least 20 years in prison, and up to $50,000 in fines. Assault in the 1st degree, a class A felony, can also come with a lifetime prison sentence.
2. Class B Felony- punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. Second-degree assault is a class B felony.
3. Class C Felony- punishable by a sentence of up to 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, Assault in the 3rd degree is a class C Felony.

All gross misdemeanor assault charges received in Bonney Lake will be adjudicated at the Pierce County District Court, located in Tacoma.

Any felony assault charges acquired in Bonney Lake will be adjudicated at the Pierce County Superior Court, which is also located in downtown Tacoma.

Self-defense, lack of physical evidence, or mistaken identity are all methods that have led to a successful defense in past assault cases in Pierce County. Of course, each case is unique, so determining a viable defense for your case requires an experienced Bonney Lake assault attorney who has all of the facts about your particular charge.

Pierce County prosecutors do not take cases of assault lightly and will generally pursue the most severe punishment possible. It is imperative, therefore, that you get proper representation to defend your case. Our Bonney Lake criminal defense attorneys have the knowledge and experience necessary to work for a dismissal of your case, an acquittal at trial, or at least reduced charges or a minimization of the punishments and penalties you incur.

If you or a loved one has been charged with assault in Pierce County, you don’t have time to waste. Contact our Bonney Lake assault attorneys today for a no-cost case consultation. We are committed to providing every client with aggressive and professional representation.