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Key Takeaways:
Assault is a commonly misunderstood criminal offense. In Boutte and throughout Louisiana, you do not need to make physical contact with another person to be charged with assault; you only need to present an imminent threat of harm. If the other person was reasonably fearful for their safety because of your actions, then you can be charged with assault. A Boutte assault lawyer will be crucial to your defense if you find yourself facing this charge.
The father-son team of attorneys at Marino Law Firm, LLC is ready to provide the results-driven and responsive criminal defense counsel you need when you or a family member has been charged with assault. Since 1986, our firm has defended clients’ rights in Boutte and surrounding communities in Louisiana. Mark Marino and Orrin Marino have the experience you need on your side when faced with assault charges of any kind.
Louisiana has a relatively high crime rate. In 2024, there were 2,296 property crimes per 100,000 people and 520 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Compared to the national average, Louisiana’s crime rate was 44.8% higher in 2024, ranking the state fifth in the country with the highest crime rates.
“Assault” can be charged differently based on the circumstances of the case. For example, “simple” assault occurs whenever one person threatens another person with imminent harm, but there is no weapon present. This charge can be escalated to “assault and battery” if there is any physical contact, and the defendant could be charged with “aggravated assault” if they were in possession of any type of weapon during the incident.
Other aggravating factors could lead to enhanced and/or additional charges. For example, using a firearm to commit an assault could lead to charges for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The penalties for an assault charge largely depend on the mitigating and aggravating details present in the situation in question, and it is vital to know your rights and your potential defenses if you are charged with any form of assault.
When the alleged victim is a family or household member, the same conduct is typically prosecuted as domestic violence, with harsher penalties and consequences for custody. And if your case ends in a dismissal or certain misdemeanor outcomes, you may later be able to clear the charge from your record.
When you are arrested for a crime in Boutte, you should comply with arresting officers’ instructions and exercise your right to remain silent until you are able to speak with an attorney. You are not required to answer any questions or give any statements. After arrest and booking, you should be permitted to make phone calls, and you should hire an assault lawyer at your first opportunity.
In every criminal case, the prosecution is required to prove the defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” and this is a much higher burden of proof than many people realize. It’s your defense lawyer’s job to prevent this from happening. An experienced Boutte assault attorney may be able to defend you from conviction by proving that you were wrongfully charged, that you have been falsely accused, or that you only took actions necessary to defend yourself.
Ultimately, every criminal case is unique, and every defendant will face different challenges. The outcome of your assault case could potentially affect your life in several significant ways, so it’s crucial to have legal counsel you can trust defending you. Reach out to the Marino Law Firm, LLC at your first opportunity after an arrest for assault to learn how an experienced team of Boutte assault attorneys can help with your defense.
The penalties for assault in Louisiana vary based on the type of charge and presence of aggravating factors, such as the use of a weapon. At the misdemeanor level, the defendant could face a heavy fine and incarceration in the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center. At the felony level, a defendant could face prison time with hard labor, increased fines, and liability for any civil damages they caused to the victim.
Yes, you could be sued for assault in Boutte. While the state may file criminal charges against you for breaking the law, if you physically harmed a victim or caused severe emotional distress, they may have grounds to file a civil claim for damages against you. Your Boutte assault lawyer can explain all of the potential consequences of your actions if you committed the assault in question.
Avoiding jail time for assault may only be possible at the misdemeanor level if this is your first criminal offense, or if the facts of the case show that you had a legitimate reason to believe the actions you took were necessary. In some cases, sentencing judges are willing to consider alternative penalties to jail time if a defendant makes a compelling argument and displays genuine remorse for a first offense.
You should hire an assault lawyer in Boutte to increase your chances of reaching a positive conclusion to your case. If you were wrongfully charged with an assault offense you did not commit, or if you acted purely in self-defense, a skilled attorney can help you prove the truth of the situation and potentially help you secure an acquittal or case dismissal. If you did commit the offense, your attorney may be able to argue for a reduced sentence.
The cost to hire an assault lawyer in Boutte generally depends on how much time your defense attorney spends working on your case. Most criminal defense lawyers in Louisiana charge hourly rates, so the time investment your case requires and its overall complexity are major factors when it comes to how much you are likely to pay in attorneys’ fees.
Marino Law Firm, LLC has more than 50 combined years of experience helping clients in Boutte and throughout the surrounding areas of Louisiana with criminal defense. The outcome of your case could affect your life in various ways for years to come, so you need an attorney you can trust on your side to approach this situation with confidence. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a Boutte assault lawyer and learn how we can assist with your case.
Marino Law Firm, LLC, represents clients throughout southeast Louisiana’s river parishes. During regular business hours, call our Destrehan, Louisiana, office-toll free at 985-764-1515 with any urgent matters, including updates to an existing case. Our staff is available to take messages, schedule appointments and answer question about nonlegal matters. Contact us to arrange a consultation with an experienced Destrehan family law attorney and criminal defense lawyer.
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104 Campus Drive East
Suite 101
Destrehan, LA 70047
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