Contact an Experienced Riverside Assault Attorney Today (240 PC)
A conviction for assaulting someone could turn your entire life upside down. Not only do you face jail time and expensive fines, you will have to deal with the negative consequences of having a conviction on your criminal record for the rest of your life. That is why you should not hesitate to contact the experienced Riverside assault attorneys at Wallin & Klarich.
When you are facing serious assault charges in Riverside County, you need an experienced assault lawyer who has successfully defended people accused of this charge in the local courts. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled and knowledgeable Riverside criminal defense attorneys have been successfully defending clients accused of assault for more than 40+ years. We can help you now.
Contact our Riverside assault attorneys today at (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation so we can begin to help you.
Why You Should Choose Our Riverside Assault Attorneys
Over the past 40+ years, Wallin & Klarich has developed a track record of success in assault cases in Riverside County. Our aggressive defense in assault cases has helped us accumulate a number of awards and achievements, including a 5 out of 5 AV rating on Lawyers.com, a 10 out of 10 rating on AVVO.com, and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Our experienced Riverside assault attorneys understand how to defend you against these charges and we are committed to helping you obtain the best possible result in your case. This commitment to our clients has allowed us to receive numerous positive testimonials from former clients such as these:
“I wanted to say thank you for the outstanding defense you provided me when I was accused of assault in Riverside. My family is extremely grateful and satisfied with the outcome of my case, and it is all due to your efforts in my defense. I will be able to continue my career thanks to my attorney at Wallin & Klarich.”
-D.B.
“I called the law firm of Wallin & Klarich when I was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault in Murrieta. The attorneys at the firm were amazing. Throughout the whole process, they painted me in the best light to the district attorney and to the court. As a result, the assault charges against me were completely dismissed. I would highly recommend Wallin & Klarich to anyone facing any criminal charge in Riverside County.”
-J.M.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich for your efforts on behalf of our son. Our son told us he was impressed with your attorneys and feels that you made the difference in his case. The result you achieved in his assault case was very favorable and we are glad he will not have to spend time in jail due to this unfortunate incident. We thank you for everything your firm was able to achieve.”
-R.E.
What is the Crime of Assault in Riverside? (Penal Code 240)
The crime of assault is defined under California Penal Code 240 as when you take an unlawful attempt combined with having a present ability to violently injure another person.
Many people confuse the crimes of assault and battery. While these crimes are similar, they are not the same. Battery is when you make any unwanted contact with another person that causes injury to that person. An assault is the act you take that leads to the battery. Essentially, an assault is an attempted battery. For example, if you attempt to punch someone in the face and you miss, you could face assault charges.
In order for you to be convicted of assault under 240 PC, the prosecution must prove all of the following elements:
- You committed an act that was likely to result in the application of force against another person
- You willfully committed this act
- You were aware of the facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe your act would directly and probably result in the application of force against someone else, and
- At the time you committed the act, you had the present ability to apply unlawful force
An experienced Riverside assault attorney at Wallin & Klarich may be able to show that the alleged action you took does not meet all of the elements of this crime. Contact our law firm today at (877) 466-5245 to discuss the facts of your case and how we may be able to defend you against assault charges in Riverside County.
What Happens When You are Arrested for Assault in Riverside?
If you are arrested for assault in Riverside County, you will likely be held in custody at the jail facility closest to the location of your arrest. Visit our Riverside jail information page for more information about locating a loved one who has been taken into custody for assault.
Your first court hearing will be the arraignment. At this court hearing, you will be informed as to the specific penal code section you are alleged to have violated. You will also:
- Be informed of issues relating to bail or release
- Be informed of any future court date
- Be allowed to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty or no contest
Before you appear at your arraignment, you should consult with our experienced assault defense lawyers at Wallin & Klarich. Our skilled and knowledgeable Riverside assault attorneys can advise you of the next steps you should take and we may be able to help you save thousands of dollars in bail bonds fees. Visit our Riverside bail information page to learn more about how our law firm may be able to help you save money on bail.
Potential Sentence for Assault Convictions in Riverside
Assault is a misdemeanor offense under 240 PC. If you are convicted of assault in Riverside County, you face up to six months in county jail and fines of up to $1,000. You may also be ordered to complete a batterer’s program or community service if you are convicted of assault.
If your assault involved the use of a firearm or other deadly weapon, you could be convicted of aggravated assault under 245 PC. This crime is a wobbler offense, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending upon the circumstances of your case. You could face up to four years in state prison and fines of up to $10,000 if you are convicted of aggravated assault.
You should not face these harsh penalties without the help of an experienced Riverside assault attorney. Contact Wallin & Klarich today at (877) 466-5245 so we can determine the best possible legal defense to the charges against you.
Defenses to Assault Charges in Riverside County
At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled and knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys have been successfully defending clients charged with assault in Riverside County courts for more than 40+ years. Here are the most common legal defenses our assault lawyers have used to help our clients obtain favorable results in their cases:
- Self-defense – You are allowed to use self-defense in order to protect yourself or someone else from facing an unlawful touching, injury or death. However, this defense is only valid if you used no more force than was reasonably necessary to defend against the danger. For example, if someone tried to slap you, self-defense may not be valid legal defense if you attempted to hit that person with a baseball bat.
- Lack of intent – In order to convict you of assault, you must have willfully attempted to use force on someone. If the incident was the result of an accident or misunderstanding, you may have a valid legal defense to assault charges.
- No present ability to commit assault – An assault requires that you had the ability to use force against the alleged victim. If, for example, you are accused of throwing punches at someone but you were in an opposite room than the alleged victim, you did not have the present ability to apply unlawful force.
Our law firm relies on you to be an active part of your defense against assault charges. When you hire Wallin & Klarich to represent you in an assault case in Riverside, we ask that you share with us the facts of your case. Our skilled assault attorneys will review these facts and determine which valid legal defenses may apply in your case.
Call an Experienced Riverside Assault Attorney at Wallin & Klarich
An assault conviction could lead to severe penalties. That is why you should contact the Riverside assault attorneys at Wallin & Klarich right away if you or someone you love has been accused of assault. Our criminal defense attorneys have been successfully defending clients accused of assault in Riverside County for more than 40+ years. We can help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Our office can be found in Riverside, right across the street from the Riverside courthouse. The office is located at:
Wallin & Klarich: A Law Corporation
4229 Main St. Suite A/B
Riverside, CA 92501
Contact our law firm today at (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation regarding your assault case.