Differentiating Degrees of Assault

Have you been accused of assault in the state of Washington? If so, then it is important that you know the laws that apply to your case and the penalties that you might face. There are a variety of different sentences that are issued in assault cases. Most of the time, your sentence will be determined by the degree of your crime. For example, the RCW 9a.36.031 states that a person is guilty of assault in the third degree if he or she harms a fellow human being with a weapon or another instrument that is created to produce bodily harm. A well, if a person causes bodily harm that comes with substantial pain for an extended period of time or assaults a law enforcement officer, it is considered assault in the third degree. Any time that a person assaults a police officer with a stun gun or assaults a health care provider while performing his or her health care duties, this can be charged as assault in the third degree. All third-degree assaults are considered class C felonies according to the Washington State Legislature.

There is also assault in the second degree, which is defined as inflicting intentional or reckless bodily harm on another individual. All harm which is inflicted upon an unborn child or the mother of an unborn child is considered second degree assault and any assault by strangulation or suffocation. Anytime that pain or agony is produced by the means of torture, this is also considered a second degree assault and can bring on a class B felony. Any time that a person forces another to take a poison or uses a deadly weapon to inflict harm; this is also considered a Class B felony and can be prosecuted as such.

In many cases, sexual assault is considered a class A felony and merits the largest sentence. Other Class A felonies include intending to inflict great bodily, assaulting another with a firearm in order to produce great bodily harm, and administering poison or a destructive or noxious substance with the intent to harm the person. In some cases, administering the HIV virus through sexual conduct can be considered a first degree assault. If you have been charged with any degree of assault, then you will want an attorney on your side to help your to fight the prosecution. In order to do this, you need to hire a Seattle criminal lawyer today. The hardworking men and women at Baker, Lewis, Schwisow & Laws, PLLC are dedicated to serving citizens of Seattle with any charges that they might encounter. Get in contact with a lawyer at this accomplished firm today for more information!