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If you have been charged with assault, consult with a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. After listening to your account and evaluating the police report, they can strategize potential defenses that may help you at trial. The guide explores three circumstances where the jury might be inclined to understand your case.

Ways to Defend Yourself From Assault Charges

1. Self-Defense

In a situation where you struck another individual as a reaction to their initial act, you may be able to cite self-defense. To be successful, a criminal lawyer must effectively explain to the court that the threat you were facing was imminent, gave you a justified cause for fear, and that your response was proportional.

At trial, it is up to the prosecution to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you did not act in self-defense when the alleged assault was committed. If not, acquittal should follow.

2. Duress

Criminal LawyerA court will consider your action to have occurred under duress if you were forced to perform it due to a genuine threat of death or severe harm to yourself or a loved one.  A criminal lawyer will work to demonstrate that in the moment of the assault, you truly believed there was no way out of the situation other than obeying the instructions.

3. Necessity

When a natural force, like a fire or storm, creates imminent danger, you may be forced to act in a way you wouldn’t otherwise, as a means of self-preservation. For example, if the streets flooded and you pushed someone else out of the way in an attempt to escape an oncoming wave, this might be seen as an act of necessity.

 

An experienced criminal lawyer is your most valuable resource when going to trial for assault. For residents of Arkansas or Texas, turn to Anderson Law Firm for help. Darren Anderson has been practicing criminal law for over 20 years, utilizing all available resources to provide clients with favorable outcomes. To get started, call 903-792-1229 now or read testimonials online.

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