Puyallup Assault

Facing a violent criminal charge, such as assault, can be devastating. If convicted of assault in Pierce County, you may be facing a lifetime in prison. An assault conviction can adversely affect your ability to get a job, possess a firearm, impact the custodial rights if you have children, negatively affect your immigration status, and more.

Assault charges are considered some of the most serious charges you can face in Washington State. As such, the government tends to go after the maximum sentencing if you are convicted. You need a criminal lawyer with the time and resources to provide you with the very best representation; whether that be a self-defense claim or another defense that may be available to you.

This webpage was created to offer you a basic overview of assault charges in Pierce County. We attempt to answer some basic questions about assault charges here, including

• Is battery a separate charge from assault in Washington State?
• How many different levels of assault charges are there in Pierce County?
• Do I need a lawyer to fight my assault charge in Puyallup?
• What kind of punishment can I expect if I’m convicted of assault in Pierce County?

For more in-depth information on assault charges, or to speak to someone about the specific details of your case, contact our Puyallup Assault Defense Attorneys today. We offer a free initial consultation to all prospective clients. When you speak with a member of our qualified assault defense team, we will immediately get to work formulating defensive strategies for your case.

The information below is in no way intended to be legal advice nor is it a complete or comprehensive account of the law in this area. For specific questions regarding your assault charges, please contact our firm directly.

Few criminal charges are more serious than assault in Washington state. The law in this area is complex. It’s important to understand that in Washington State, assault is an umbrella term that encompasses not just physical violence or unlawful touching, but also the threat or attempt of physical violence or unlawful touching.

In Washington State, there are 4 degrees of assault charges.

1. Assault in the 1st degree is a class A felony. While this charge is commonly referred to as “assault with a deadly weapon,” according to Washington State Statute RCW 9A.36.011 there are several other actions that can incur an Assault 1 charge.
   “(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. Assault 2 is charged as a Class B Felony. Some examples may include
   
   • Assaulting another with the intention to commit a felony
   • Torture by knowingly inflicting harm causing pain or agony
   • Assault by strangulation or suffocation
   • Causing substantial bodily harm to an unborn child by intentionally and unlawfully inflicting any injury upon the mother of the child
3. Assault in the 3rd degree is a Class C felony. It is commonly 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 the1st, 2nd, or 3rd degrees. There are two significant differences between Assault 4, and the other assault charges.
   
   1. No injury needs to occur for Assault 4 charges to be filed. The requirement is that the contact be considered “offensive by an ordinary person”
   2. Assault 4 is a gross misdemeanor, which is a lesser charge than a felony and carries less harsh punishments.

The mere accusation of assault can be enough to turn your life upside down. If convicted, you may face more consequences than just a jail term or a heavy fine. If you or a loved one has been arrested for or are under investigation for assault charges in Puyallup, act quickly to secure the services of an experienced Pierce County criminal defense attorney. The outset of a criminal investigation or charge is the best time to get knowledge and experience on your side to help you fight these charges before they completely derail your life.

You probably don’t need a criminal defense lawyer to tell you that being charged and convicted of assault can have serious consequences.

The lowest assault charge, assault in the 4th degree, is considered a gross misdemeanor. A conviction of Assault 4 may include up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. All misdemeanor assault charges from Puyallup will be adjudicated at the Pierce County District Court, located in Tacoma.

Assault in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees are all charged as felonies in Washington state. Felonies are broken down into three separate classes, with each carrying its own maximum punishments if convicted.

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 felony charges incurred in Puyallup are adjudicated at the Pierce County Superior Court, which is also located in Tacoma.

Don't let an assault conviction ruin your future. Even after you have served your sentence and paid off your debt to society, employers are often hesitant to hire individuals with a felony conviction, you may find it hard to secure decent housing, and may not even qualify for certain loans. Protect your future today.

Our Pierce County criminal defense attorneys are equipped to handle all types of assault charges, including those that may seem minor. It is important to remember that trying to navigate the criminal justice system on your own puts you at the mercy of prosecutors and judges who are often most concerned with getting a conviction. Our firm is concerned with protecting your rights. We have the resources and tenacity to help secure the most preferable outcomes possible.

Put over 50 combined years of experienced Puyallup criminal defense in your corner. Contact us today for a free, confidential case consultation.