Assault & Battery Defense Attorney in Lynnwood

Passionately Advocating for the Accused in Washington

Assault and battery are serious offenses that can result in fines, prison time, and even loss of civil liberties. Whether you were falsely accused of a crime or made an honest mistake, it’s imperative to take assault and battery charges seriously, as a criminal conviction can result in the loss of your career, relationships with friends and family, credibility, and hard-earned reputation. 

Variations in state laws can make assault and battery charges difficult to interpret. If you’ve been charged with assault and battery, it’s very important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately to defend your rights in court, as they can use their legal knowledge and analytical skills to help build your case. Your lawyer can also collaborate with you to gather appropriate evidence and determine the best legal strategy to pursue in your defense. 

Have you been charged with a violent crime? It’s essential to have the right legal team in your corner. You can count on us to defend your rights. Call (425) 374-0761 to request a free consultation.

Assault vs. Battery in Washington State

Many states recognize assault and battery as two separate crimes, with assault entailing a threat of physical harm and battery entailing the actual infliction of physical harm upon a victim. This means that a defendant can be charged with “assault without battery” if a threat was made without inflicting physical harm. 

However, Washington state laws classify assault and battery under the same umbrella, meaning that you can be charged with assault regardless of whether physical contact actually occurred. Because an assault charge pertains to both the threat of force and the use of force, a defendant cannot be charged with battery in the Washington court, as the “infliction of harm” (battery) is already covered under the assault charge. 

Assault Charges in WA (Ranked Most to Least Severe) 

The state of Washington categorizes assault charges as one of four degrees, with first-degree assault being the most severe and fourth-degree assault (also known as simple assault) being the least severe. 

As you may expect, the penalties of an assault conviction will vary based on the degree of the crime committed. When it comes to assault, offenses in the first, second, and third degree are considered felonies while fourth-degree assault is considered a gross misdemeanor.

First-Degree Assault

According to the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 9A.36.011, first-degree assault occurs when a defendant:  

• Acts with the intent to inflict great bodily harm;
• Assaults a person with a firearm or other deadly weapon, or by force; 
• Transmits HIV to a child or vulnerable adult; and/or
• Administers, exposes, or transmits poison or other noxious substances. 

First-degree assault is considered a Class A felony punishable by:

• Up to $50,000 in fines
• Up to life in prison

Second-Degree Assault

Under RCW § 9A.36.021, second-degree assault occurs when a person: 

• Intentionally assaults a person and recklessly inflicts substantial bodily harm;
• Intentionally causes substantial bodily harm to an unborn child by inflicting injury upon the mother of the child; 
• Assaults a person with a deadly weapon;
• Strangles or suffocates a person;
• Strikes a person with the intent to commit a felony; and/or
• Inflicts bodily harm that can be considered equivalent to torture. 

Second-degree assault is considered a Class B felony punishable by:

• Up to $20,000 in fines
• Up to 10 years in prison

Keep in mind that evidence of sexual motivation can enhance a second-degree assault charge to a Class A felony. 

Third-Degree Assault

Third-degree assault is described in RCW § 9A.36.031. It occurs when someone inflicts harm upon another individual through an act of criminal negligence. It also applies to crimes that involve the assault of: 

• Law enforcement officials
• Firefighters
• Public transportation workers
• School transit operators
• Judicial officers
• Healthcare providers

Assault in the third degree is considered a Class C felony punishable by:

• Up to $10,000 in fines
• Up to 5 years in prison

Fourth-Degree Assault (Simple Assault)

Under RCW § 9A.36.041, fourth-degree assault (also referred to as simple assault) is the only assault charge that is not automatically a felony. Instead, simple assault is a misdemeanor that entails unwanted touching, such as: 

• Intentionally touching or striking someone in a harmful or offensive manner
• Attempting to inflict injury upon another person
• Committing an act that intentionally places a person in apprehension of harm

Assault in the third degree is considered a gross misdemeanor punishable by:

• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Up to 1 year in prison

It’s crucial to understand that a simple assault charge can be enhanced to a felony under certain conditions, such as: 

• If the assault resulted in serious bodily harm 
• If the victim is aged 13 years or younger
• If the victim belongs to a protected class

Related Offenses

When it comes to assault and battery in Washington State, it’s important to be aware of other related offenses you can be charged with. These include (but aren’t limited to):

Reckless Endangerment

RCW § 9A.36.050 describes the crime of reckless endangerment as “recklessly engaging in behavior that creates a risk of death or substantial physical injury to another person.” Note that the prosecution is not required to prove that the defendant acted intentionally, as intent to cause harm isn’t needed to be convicted of reckless endangerment. 

This offense is considered a gross misdemeanor punishable by: 

• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Up to 1 year in prison

Domestic Violence

Assault and reckless endangerment between household members are considered domestic violence crimes under RCW § 10.99.020. 

A “household member” is a legal term that refers to certain people who share a relationship with the defendant, including: 

• A spouse (former or current)
• A domestic partner (former or current)
• A person with whom the defendant shares a child (regardless of marital status or cohabitation)
• Adults related by blood or marriage
• A child of the defendant
• A person with whom the defendant is romantically involved and lives with (or used to live with)

Washington law defines domestic violence as committing a violent or threatening crime (such as rape, assault, stalking, trespassing, or burglary) against a family or household member. 

Unlike in other states, it’s worth noting that if a person is charged with assault in Washington, the court will not enhance the severity of penalties if the assault was an act of domestic violence (committed against a household member). However, the defendant may be required to pay a special fine. 

Can I be charged with assault if no injury occurred? 

Yes. Under Washington law, a defendant can be charged with assault if unwanted physical contact occurred, regardless of whether or not the offensive contact resulted in injury. 

Can I be charged with assault if I was acting in self-defense? 

Self-defense can be an effective legal strategy to defend yourself in court. However, it’s absolutely crucial to discuss this with a trusted criminal defense attorney beforehand, as the last thing you want to do is jeopardize your chance to obtain a favorable outcome. 

Regardless of why the assault occurred, it’s safe to assume a conviction is possible—even if you acted in self-defense. The outcome of your case likely won’t depend on which defense you choose; rather, it will depend on how well you and your lawyer can argue the defense strategy. 

The results of your case can also be impacted by the quantity of evidence that supports your stance, the quality of that evidence, and whether that evidence is effectively presented to the court. An experienced criminal defense attorney can assess the details of your case and recommend the best legal route to take to successfully reduce or dismiss the charges you’re up against. 

Are the odds against me if I’ve been charged with assault?  

No case is lost until the gavel drops. While criminal court proceedings can be nerve-racking, especially considering the severity of penalties a defendant will face if convicted, it’s completely possible to emerge unscathed after finding yourself on the wrong side of the law. 

Securing reliable legal representation is non-negotiable if you have a hope of obtaining a positive outcome in court. Without a skilled criminal defense attorney in your corner to defend your rights, you risk being unfairly convicted, as this can offer the prosecution an opportunity to construct a one-sided case against you.

There are various benefits to hiring a legal professional to defend you in court, including (but not limited to):

• They can help uncover evidence that is favorable to your case.  
• They can demand the removal of inappropriate evidence (such as proof that was obtained in violation of your amendment rights). 
• They can fact-check police reports and cross-examine witnesses.
• In worst-case scenarios, they can negotiate a plea deal or reduce charges to be less severe. 
• They can recommend the best legal strategy to build you the strongest defense possible. 

How to Defend Against Assault Charges

If you’ve been charged with assault in Washington, there’s no need to abandon hope. There are various strategies to defend against violent crimes like assault and battery. Keep in mind that a qualified criminal defense attorney will be your best resource to determine which defense will be most effective for your case. 

Consider these common defenses against assault charges: 

• Self-defense or defense of others. This is one of the most common defenses against a violent crime, as it argues that your actions were necessary to protect the safety of yourself or others. For this strategy to be successful, you must prove that 1) a genuine threat or unlawful force was used against them; 2) the threat or force would cause a reasonable person to fear for their safety; 3) there was no harm or provocation on your part, and 4) the force you used in self-defense is reasonable in relation to the force used by the victim. 
• Defense of property. If you assaulted a person to protect your property or home, this may be an adequate strategy to defend your actions. 
• Consent. If a victim voluntarily consented to your actions prior to the assault charge, this may lead to reduced or dismissed charges. 
• Duress. This defense argues that your conduct, although criminal under ordinary circumstances, was something you were forced to engage in by threat or immediate use of physical force that would have resulted in bodily harm or injury. 
• Lack of mental state. This defense argues that you were not in your right state of mind and acted unknowingly or unintentionally when you committed the offense. 

Our Firm Is Here to Restore Your Freedom

McAvoy Law, PLLC is committed to protecting the rights of citizens in Lynnwood, Edmonds, Kirkland, and surrounding counties. If you've been charged with assault, immediate action is required if you wish to protect your future. 

Even minor criminal charges can have a drastic impact on your life, as a single conviction can threaten your employability, financial security, relationships, and reputation. If you’ve been arrested in Washington, it’s crucial to seek support from a skilled criminal defense lawyer who will advocate tirelessly on your behalf. 

Our founding attorney Kimberly McAvoy is a former prosecutor who uses her former experience to better the lives of her clients and their families. Our compassionate team of legal professionals is here to provide the personalized representation and customized legal solutions you rightfully deserve. When it comes to the rest of your life, don't settle for a mediocre defense. Put your trust in a firm with a proven track record of real results.   

Being convicted of a violent crime can result in life-altering consequences and prison time. Don’t throw away your future by failing to prepare. Call (425) 374-0761 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.