Are There Different Types of Assault?
Yes. There are different types of assault charges in South Carolina. These include:
- Third-Degree Assault and Battery
- Second-Degree Assault and Battery
- First-Degree Assault and Battery
- Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature (ABHAN)
In SC, the crimes of battery and assault are charged together, while they are charged separately in some states.
Regardless of what type of assault charge you are facing, you will need an experienced Greenville, SC, assault attorney to protect your legal rights and begin working on your defense as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may lose your job and certain constitutional rights, obtain a criminal record, or end up in prison for up to 20 years. Read on to learn more about the different assault charges in SC if you haven’t consulted with a Greenville, SC, assault attorney yet.
Third-Degree Assault and Battery or Simple Assault
You may be charged with this offense if you injure, offer to injure, or try to injure another individual. This is the least serious type of assault charge.
Second-Degree Assault and Battery
Similar to simple assault, you may be charged with this crime if you hurt, offer to hurt, or attempt to hurt another individual. However, one of the following factors must also apply to the assault incident:
- The assault incident involves touching the private parts of the victim without consent.
- The victim could have suffered or suffered a moderate injury.
In this context, moderate physical injury refers to physical injury, including the temporary loss of use of a body part, loss of consciousness, or an anesthesia-related injury during medical treatment. Do note that the standard of great bodily injury used in more serious assault and battery charges is different from moderate physical injury.
First-Degree Assault and Battery
You can be charged with first-degree assault and battery in SC if any of the following applies to your case:
- You hurt the victim and touched their private parts without consent, or the assault incident occurred during a kidnapping, burglary, theft, or robbery.
- You tried to offer or offered to hurt the victim, and doing so would most likely lead to great bodily injury or death, or the incident occurred during a burglary, kidnapping, robbery, or theft.
Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature
As the most severe assault charge, this offense comes with the harshest consequences. You may be charged with this offense if any of the following applies to your situation:
- You inflicted great bodily harm to the victim, which is any injury that causes death or disfigurement.
- You hurt the victim in a manner that will most likely result in death or great bodily harm.
Consult with Our Seasoned Greenville Assault Attorney
A seasoned Greenville, SC, assault attorney can be the difference between securing your freedom and prison, along with all the other penalties that come with an assault and battery conviction. Find out about your legal options and schedule your consultation with our Greenville, SC, assault attorney by contacting Ryan Beasley Law at 864-679-7777 or filling out our online contact form.
Recent Posts
How Long Will a DUI Stay on My Criminal Record? What Defenses Are Available for a Public Intoxication Charge? What Are the Differences between Misdemeanor and Felony Charges? Can a Public Intoxication Charge Be Dismissed? What is Title IX and How Does it Apply to Educational Institutions?Categories
Blog Criminal Defense DUI Defense Drug Charges Federal Crimes Firm News Fraud Injuries Juvenile Crime White Collar Crime White Collar Crimes