Baltimore Assault on a Police Officer Lawyer
Assaulting a law enforcement or police officer is a serious felony offense in Baltimore that is punishable by up to ten years in prison or longer if a weapon was involved in the alleged assault. Handling charges of assaulting an officer on your own or without proper legal counsel could make it more difficult to achieve the best legal outcome possible. Let a Baltimore assault on a police officer lawyer assist you with your case.
A lawyer who handles cases involving allegations of assault on a police or law enforcement officer understands the legal system and the laws on assault and could possibly improve the chances of obtaining an optimal legal outcome in your case by preparing a proper defense to the charges. An experienced assault lawyer could also safeguard your legal rights, as well as your constitutional right to due process.
Baltimore Laws on Assault
Assault offenses also include battery or assault and battery and involve intentionally causing or attempting to cause serious physical harm to another person. Two degrees of assault — first and second degree — are identified in the Maryland code of criminal law under sections 3-202 and 3-203. The main difference between first and second-degree assault is either the use of a firearm or dangerous or deadly weapon, or whether there was risk of significant bodily injury or death, which is associated with first-degree assault.
Section 3-203 of the Maryland criminal law code specifically lists assault on a police or law enforcement officer as felony assault in the second degree. The law also specifies that assault against a probation or parole agent, a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, or any first responder is felony assault in the second degree. Committing assault with a firearm against any of these professionals could result in an elevated charge of first-degree assault.
It is possible that a person could be charged with assault on a police officer when the alleged action might not necessarily constitute assault according to the legal definition.
A Baltimore attorney for assault on a police officer could review the details of any charges involving assault on a police or law enforcement officer to determine if an alternate, lesser charge would possibly have been more appropriate.
Penalties for Assaulting an Officer of the Law in Baltimore
Assaulting a law enforcement or police officer while that officer is in the line of duty is a felony offense. The maximum penalty upon conviction for assault on a police or law enforcement officer is a prison sentence of ten years and a fine of $5,000.
If any type of weapon was involved in the alleged assault against an officer of the law, the possible term of imprisonment could be as long as 25 years if convicted. A skilled lawyer for assault on a law enforcement officer could explain what factors could contribute to a person being sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment if convicted.
Let a Baltimore Assault on a Police Officer Attorney Assist You
A Baltimore assault on a police officer lawyer could provide valuable legal guidance on how best to proceed with your case if you are facing charges of assaulting a police officer. A lawyer could recommend possible defense strategies and help you fight for the most optimal outcome in your case.
It is best not to try fighting charges of assaulting an officer of the law on your own. The Maryland criminal law code can be complicated to decipher without legal expertise, and the legal system can be challenging to navigate on your own. Contact a Baltimore attorney for assault on a law enforcement officer for assistance with your case.