Assaults can be confusing crimes because there are many charging options for the prosecutor. Some things a prosecutor considers when making a charging decision are:
- Your mental state or intent;
- The injury inflicted;
- Whether a weapon (or something used as a weapon) was used;
- The identity or class of the victim or intended victim.
Information Center:
What are the degrees of assault?
What are the punishments for assault?
The assault was in self-defense. What now?
If I don’t want to fight the charge, is jail the only option?