Assault and battery often get confused, but these two crimes are very distinct under the definition of law. Assault is the act of threatening verbally or by action with the intent to harm.
Battery, on the other hand, is the same as assault except that the threat is actually carried out. It is defined as unwanted physical contact with another person. Oftentimes when charges are pressed, assault and battery are both involved in order to deliver harsher punishment to the accused person.
If you’ve been charged with battery in San Diego, you may not be sure how to proceed or where to turn for help. Check out our guide to learn more about the possible punishments and defenses for battery in San Diego, and learn how Bradley Corbett can help fight your case.
Consequences for Battery
The possible consequences for a San Diego battery conviction vary according to circumstance but could include imprisonment, probation or parole, fines, or required anger management classes. Additionally, you could be forced to pay for damages or expenses that were a result of your alleged actions.
If the charge stays on your record for life, it can have a serious impact on how future employers view you as a qualified and responsible candidate.
How We Can Help with Your San Diego Battery Case
There are several known defenses used to fight San Diego battery cases, but it takes an experienced lawyer to present those defenses in an aggressive and convincing manner.
When you choose Bradley R. Corbett as your San Diego battery lawyer, you can be assured that you will get the best possible outcome for your case. A skilled lawyer like Bradley will be able to fight your battery case with defenses that will work to dismiss your case completely or minimize the consequences of your charges.
Sexual Battery
California law defines sexual battery as touching the intimate part of another person without their consent for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or abuse.
Many innocent people are often accused of sexual battery. Sometimes these charges are completely accusatory and have no basis, or other times, contact did in fact occur, but the intent was not harmful or the person assumed consent.
Sexual Battery Consequences
Sexual battery charges can come in the form of a misdemeanor or a felony. Unfortunately, however, even a person convicted of a misdemeanor charge must register as a sex offender for life according to the law.
For an innocent person, this can have a devastating effect on the rest of their life. Being registered as a sex offender can cause a person to be fired from their job, prevent them from finding other jobs, prevent them from practicing in professions that require state board licensing, and can give them a negative social stigma that will follow them for life.
When it comes to a possible conviction with lasting consequences such as these, you can’t afford to take any chances. As your San Diego sexual battery attorney, Bradley R. Corbett can help you get the best result for your case.
Battery on a Police Officer
When it comes to the penalties associated with San Diego battery charges, they are typically stricter when directed at specific individuals like police officers.
Unfortunately, the charge of battery on a police officer is a common one for many innocent people, since it’s very easy for police officers to allege this offense. For example, when an individual is detained by police officers and fails to comply and uses force to do so, they could be charged with battery on a police officer.
While this helps keep officers safe and provides a legal way of pressing charges, it is not uncommon for innocent individuals to be wrongfully accused. In these circumstances, it is extremely important to find a San Diego criminal defense lawyer who is experienced in the area of battery on a police officer to handle your case.
Having personally handled more than 500 criminal defense cases, Bradley R. Corbett brings extensive experience and knowledge to your case.
Battery with Serious Bodily Injury
The law recognizes bodily injury in relation to battery as a serious impairment to one’s physical condition. The following examples apply to battery with serious bodily injury:
- Serious disfigurement, loss of limbs
- Loss of consciousness, concussion, head wound
- Bone fractures, sprains
- Loss of limb and organ, impairment or protracted loss
- Serious wounds requiring suturing
While this list is not limited, it also does not guarantee that these will be considered “serious bodily injury.” Typically, a charge of battery with serious bodily injury is considered on a case-by-case basis as it is defended in court.
Legal Defenses Against Battery in San Diego
There is a wide range of legal defenses against battery in San Diego. For example, someone charged with battery on a police officer may have been acting in self-defense, or the officer may not have been on duty. In other cases of battery, the accusations may be false or the harm may have been an accident.
The right criminal defense attorney can help fight your case and get you the best possible outcome in your situation. Lawyers like Bradley Corbett have seen hundreds of similar cases and can use their expertise in court.
Other defenses against battery might include:
- Duress (threats, violence, or restrictions prompting the battering)
- Coercion (Verbal persuasion to prompt the battering)
- Unintentional intoxication
- Acting because of immediate danger
- Mistaken identity
Get a Free Consultation Today
At the law offices of Bradley R. Corbett, we thoroughly evaluate your case and aggressively fight for reduced charges, or in optimal situations, a complete dismissal of the charge. Let us prove it to you. Contact our San Diego criminal defense lawyer today for a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your San Diego battery charges. We’re eager to show you how the right lawyer can stand by your side and help you get the justice you deserve.
