Assault & Battery/ Crimes of Violence

Boston Assault and Battery Lawyer

Massachusetts Crimes of Violence and Penalties

There are many different charges that can arise from acts of violence, or alleged acts of violence; some more serious than others. There are different legal strategies that can be employed based on the specific charges against you and the facts as alleged by the prosecutor. I have had Assault and Battery cases remanded to a clerk’s hearing and voided before a criminal complaint even issued. Some cases lack sufficient evidence to proceed to trial without the testimony of the victim, and many of these cases can be dismissed prior to trial. Police often make arrests based on statements made at the scene, but a skilled attorney can often get these statements thrown out at a motion to suppress based on legal grounds, and the case may then get dismissed. Many of these cases, particularly with domestic violence, arise just from the statement of the alleged victim. In some cases, this person may have a grievance against you and just wants to see you punished. If such improper motives have led to criminal charges against you, I will make sure they are brought to light. I will fight with all of my power under the law to preserve your liberty. If the prosecution does have a strong case against you, then I will work to negotiate a deal involving anger management, counseling, community service, or other constructive resolutions to avoid incarceration.

Below, I have provided an outline of the most common crimes of violence and their potential penalties:

Assault or Assault and Battery (A&B) in Massachusetts carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 2 years in jail
• Up to $1000 fine

Assault or Assault and Battery resulting in serious bodily injury, or on a pregnant woman, carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 5 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to $5000 fine

Assault or Assault and Battery on a public employee while that employee is engaging in his/her official duties carries the following potential penalties

• 90 days mandatory minimum jail sentence
• Up to 2 years in jail
• Fines from $500- $5000

Assault or Assault and Battery on a mentally retarded person carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 5 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to 10 years in state prison (second offense)

Assault or Assault and Battery on a child under 14 years old causing injury carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 5 years in state prison (felony)

Assault or Assault and Battery on a child under 14 years old resulting in substantial bodily injury carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 15 years in state prison (felony)

Assault or Assault and Battery on an elderly or disabled person carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 3 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

Assault or Assault and Battery on an elderly or disabled person causing injury carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 5 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

Assault or Assault and Battery on an elderly or disabled person resulting in serious bodily injury carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 10 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to $5000 fine

Assault with a Dangerous Weapon carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 5 years in State Prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW) carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 10 years in State Prison (felony)
• Up to $5000 fine

Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (ABDW) that either causes serious bodily injury, is upon a child under 14 year old and the perpetrator 17 years old or older, is upon a pregnant woman, or upon a person who has a valid restraining order against the perpetrator, carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 15 years in State Prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

Mayhem: An assault and battery with malicious intent to main, disfigure, or inflict permanent physical injury, resulting in such injury, carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 20 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

Assault with Intent to Murder carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 10 years in State Prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

Attempt to Murder carries the following potential penalties:

• Up to 20 years in state prison (felony)
• Up to $1000 fine

If you have been charged with a violent crime in Massachusetts, contact my office for your free initial phone consultation:

Urbelis Law, LLC

50 Milk St 16th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 830-2188