Being accused of an assault against someone can have long legal and social consequences. When the assault is committed against a minor, the consequences are even stricter. There are laws in place to punish the perpetrators who abuse or threaten minors in some way. Due to this, anyone who is being accused of such a thing, it is necessary to get legal assistance as soon as possible to build a proper defense for the court proceedings.
Abuse of a minor
An assault that causes physical injuries to the minor or the threat of an injury is considered to be abuse which is punishable in court. Common, criminal and aggravated assaults are the three types for which the court punishes the accused. Depending on the severity of the case, the accused may face a record and incarceration as punishment.
A simple assault
An assault on a minor is considered to be a simple assault when the minor is attacked or threatened unlawfully without any weapon and physical injury. It is a criminal offense to try to injure or threaten a minor. Court-ordered programs, probation, community service and more can be the result of causing a simple assault on a minor.
Penal Code 288 also recognizes sexual advances on minors to be a criminal offense. As a result, the accused may face jail time, a fine and being recorded as sex offender as consequences. As being accused can be a life-altering event, it is necessary for the accused to get assistance to know their stand. From understanding the law to understanding the court proceeding and potential outcome, criminal defense lawyer for crimes against minors can help to cope with the whole legal situation. They put their whole effort into ensuring the best possible outcome for their client.
An aggravated assault
An assault that involves a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a minor is treated more severely. The maximum sentence one can face in New York is four years of jail time.
As such cases are even more complex to navigate, these require proper knowledge and experience to present the defenses in the court. To ensure the most favorable outcome, choose a licensed attorney to present your case.