A criminal record of any kind can follow you for the rest of your life, but an assault conviction is problematic because it shows a propensity for violence. A strong defense is important to protect your future and preserve your long-term goals.
There are a few different options to defend against assault charges.
1. It was not you
Mistaken identity happens more frequently than you think. The assaulted party sometimes gets confused in the aftermath of the incident, especially if the assault was random. Eyewitness testimony is not as accurate as you might believe. As a result, sometimes your best defense is the fact that you did not do it. Provide proof of your alibi for the best chance with this defense.
2. Fear for your safety
If the assault occurred because you were protecting yourself or you reacted out of fear for your own safety, that is a sound defense. If you were in fear of your own safety from the other individual, you may be able to claim self-defense.
3. Protecting others from harm
As a good samaritan, stepping in to protect someone else who was in imminent danger is often sufficient for an assault defense as well. You will need the testimony of the party you were protecting or video documentation to prove that the incident occurred to protect someone else.
Protect yourself from the long-term effects of a violent crime conviction with a sound defense that protects your interests. The right legal guidance and a solid defense presentation can help keep you from a potentially costly conviction.