Philadelphia Defense Lawyer for Assault on Police Officer
Assault is a serious crime even when a defendant is not accused of attacking a police officer. However, if a defendant is charged with the assault of a police officer, they can face severe criminal penalties if they are convicted. These criminal penalties can be enhanced depending on the unique circumstances of the case. If you or a family member was arrested for assaulting a police officer, contact an experienced Philadelphia police officer assault defense lawyer today.
The Law Office of Lloyd Long understands the serious nature of committing a crime against a police officer, and we are here to assist you with your criminal case. Our law office takes pride in only litigating a low volume of cases to ensure that our clients receive the legal representation they deserve. To schedule a free legal consultation to discuss your case, contact the Law Office of Lloyd Long at (215) 302-0171, or contact us online.
Types of Charges for Assault Against Police Officer in Philadelphia
Assault is a crime that can be divided into multiple categories. These categories depend on the circumstances of a specific case. For example, if two people engage in a mutual fight, this would affect the type of offense that a person is charged with. Understanding how each category of Philadelphia assault on a police officer works can help you determine the possible consequences for each crime.
Simple Assault on an Officer
Simple assault occurs when a person causes knowingly or recklessly tries to inflict bodily injury on another person. For example, if a person swings a bat and accidentally strikes the arm of a person they did not intend to strike, this can be considered a simple assault.
It is also possible to commit a simple assault by instilling fear in another person, causing them to expect an imminent assault from the defendant.
There are multiple actions that can result in a defendant being charged with assault on a police officer. For example, if a police officer is frisking a defendant, and they hide a hypodermic needle on their person without telling the officer, the defendant can be arrested for simple assault if the needle injures the officer. This offense can become even more serious if the law enforcement officer contracts a disease as a result of being penetrated with a hypodermic needle.
Under the terms of the simple assault statute, a law enforcement officer can also include:
- Employees of correctional institutions
- Employees of detention centers
- Employees of a mental hospital
In Pennsylvania, a simple assault is graded as a second degree misdemeanor. A conviction for a second degree misdemeanor may carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison and $5,000 in criminal fines. If you are going through sentencing for an assault conviction, contact our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers as soon as possible.
Aggravated Assault on an Officer
A person commits aggravated assault if they cause another person to suffer a serious bodily injury. Like simple assault, this offense can be carried out either intentionally or recklessly.
A defendant does not have to successfully inflict a serious bodily injury on an officer in order to be charged with assault against a police officer. It is enough that a defendant tried to harm a police officer or tried to instill fear of an imminent battery upon an officer.
Aggravated assault of an officer also extends incidents with the following officials:
- Firefighters
- Probation or parole officers
- Judges
- District attorneys or public defenders
- Emergency medical service professionals
Aggravated assault is normally graded as a second degree felony. However, when a defendant commits an aggravated assault against a police officer, the crime is upgraded to a first degree felony, the most serious type of felony. In Pennsylvania, a first degree felony carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and $25,000 in criminal fines.
It is important to note that the criminal penalties for assaulting a police officer can be increased depending on the circumstances of your case. For example, if the defendant was resisting arrest and ended up seriously injuring multiple police officers while being arrested, they could face multiple assault charges.
The Law Office of Lloyd Long knows the stress of being charged with a serious crime like assaulting an officer, and we are here for you. Our firm can help you explore legal defenses that may help you prove that the charges against you were brought in error. For example, if an officer was not actually injured during an assault, this could mean that the assault charge was brought in error.
Work with an Experienced Philadelphia Attorney for Assault on a Police Officer You Can Trust
If you were arrested for assaulting a law enforcement officer, consult with an experienced Philadelphia assault on a police officer defense attorney today. Criminal defense lawyer in Philadelphia Lloyd Long possesses over a decade of legal experience, and he is here to help you fight your criminal charges. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Law Office of Lloyd at (215) 302-0171.
