Defense of Property Assault and Battery Attorneys

Facing down an assault and battery charge means the clock is already running against you. You were defending your property, and you don’t have time to worry over which law firm will do the best job of defending you, so where do you go when you need help beating the rap? Who can you rely on?

The Champaign assault and battery defense lawyers of Bruno Law Offices have over thirty years of experience defending Illinois residents against charges of all kinds, and we can put that experience to work for you. Call us today at (217) 328-6000 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will review your case and discuss your options with you at no charge. Don’t let an assault and battery charge follow you around. Call Bruno Law Offices today.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for My Assault and Battery Charge?

Assault and battery is a serious offense, with severe consequences if you’re convicted. It’s actually two separate crimes: assault is the act of threatening to harm someone, and battery is the act of harming someone. Under the right circumstances, both crimes may be classified as a felony. An aggravated assault conviction can mean up to three years in prison and a fine of $25,000, or both, and an aggravated battery conviction may mean up to 60 years in prison. These are not charges to take lightly. You’ll need the help of a good attorney if you want to avoid a conviction.

Your attorney will act as your advocate, your chief negotiator, and your investigator. We will thoroughly investigate the incident that resulted in your assault and battery charge and determine the most effective defensive strategy. We will interview eyewitnesses, track down police reports, and gather medical records to aid in your defense.

Without the help of an attorney, you all but guarantee a judgment against you. You would be representing yourself in criminal court against a prosecutor who knows the laws, procedures, and courtroom etiquette, backed up by a judge who doesn’t care whether or not you committed the crime and has sixteen other cases on the docket. If you are serious about avoiding a conviction, you’ll need an attorney with experience defending against assault and battery charges.

Why Hire Bruno Law Offices to Represent Me?

For over thirty years, we’ve been the first choice of Illinois residents facing criminal charges of all kinds. From Secret Service counterfeit investigations to murder cases, we’ve seen it all, and we know how to make Illinois criminal law work for our clients.

We are a family firm, and we believe in treating our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve. You’ll find no judgment here. You are innocent until proven guilty, and we will do all we can to defend you and protect your rights at every turn.

Our clients come to us during challenging times. We’ve been there before, and we know what to expect. We will help you manage the stress and anxiety of facing criminal charges and provide the support, guidance, and counsel you need.

Defense of Property for Assault and Battery Charges

One of the common defenses for assault and battery is defense of property. To avoid a conviction, we may be able to argue that you were defending your property from being illegally taken or withheld. Illinois law allows for the use of force to protect your home and your property, provided the force is reasonable and the only available option.

The crucial element is what force is considered reasonable. Under most conditions, the application of force to defend your property would need to be proportional to the force used to take or withhold it. Breaking someone’s ankle if they shoved you on the shoulder would not likely be defensible.

For example, imagine someone tries to steal your backpack on the street. They attempt to remove the bag and shove you out of the way. You respond by striking them in the face and recovering your property. The aggressor then files assault and battery charges against you. We would use the defense of property principle to argue that the force you used to protect your bag was proper, proportional, and justified under the circumstances.

Consequences of Assault and Battery Charges

You should be aware of the consequences of a criminal conviction. Aside from fines and jail time, a violent crime conviction can make things difficult for you in the future.

A conviction on your record can make it hard to get a job. Criminal background checks are a part of almost any job application process. If your assault and battery is elevated to a felony, a conviction is nearly impossible to remove from your record. Even if you can land a job with a conviction, you’re less likely to make a living wage.

Convictions also show during housing applications. You may find it more challenging to secure safe, affordable housing with an assault and battery on your record.

There are more reasons. A conviction will show up on credit reports, which can make applying for loans or credit difficult. It will affect any family planning or divorce proceedings and can make child visitation rights harder to obtain.

Even if your assault and battery charge is minor and you’ll only be fined, you want to do all you can to avoid any conviction on your record. You’ll need to hire an experienced attorney who can develop a comprehensive defensive strategy.

Call Bruno Law Offices Today

If you and your family are ready to leave your assault and battery charges behind, call the attorneys at Bruno Law Offices as soon as possible. We will listen to your needs, advise you about all options available, and build a strong defense. Call us today at (217) 328-6000 for a free consultation. Don’t let a criminal conviction determine your future. Call Bruno Law Offices today.