Top Kirkwood, MO Criminal Battery Lawyers Near You
Accused? We defend. We fight for your freedom, family reputation and future. Contact us for a free strategy session today!
Free Consultation
Over 25 Years of Experience Aggressively Representing Clients Who Have Been Charged with a Criminal Matter. Capital, Drug, Sex. Call Now!
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Experienced Trail Lawyers. Dedicated to success.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Criminal Charges Are Complicated. Affordable, Aggressive Defense of Your Rights. All We Do Is Criminal Defense! Call Now!
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Bold And Aggressive Criminal Defense. State And Federal Charges. Call Now For A Free Consultation.
Free Consultation
Arrested for DWI? Schedule an immediate free consultation. A Proven Record of Fighting Missouri's & IL Toughest DWI/DUI cases.
Free Consultation
7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 750, St. Louis, MO 63105
131 Jefferson Street, St. Charles, MO 63301
421 South Main Street, PO Box 290, Troy, MO 63379
2025 Zumbehl Rd., #102, St. Charles, MO 63303
12813 Flushing Meadows Dr, Suite 150, St. Louis, MO 63131
4542 West Pine, St. Louis, MO 63108
1520 Washington Ave, Suite 226, St. Louis, MO 63103
1015 Locust St, Suite 1000, St. Louis, MO 63101
231 S Bemiston Ave, Suite 800, St. Louis, MO 63105-3705
13321 N Outer 40 Road, Suite 600, Chesterfield, MO 63017
10 South Broadway, Suite 1100, St. Louis, MO 63102
8000 Maryland Avenue, Suite 450, St. Louis, MO 63105
800 Market Street, Suite 2950, St. Louis, MO 63101
2010 S. Big Bend Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63117
5770 Mexico Rd, Suite A, St. Peters, MO 63376
317 N 11th St, Suite 402, St. Louis, MO 63101
1650 Des Peres Rd, Suite 150, St. Louis, MO 63131
216 West Main Street, PO Box 184, Washington, MO 63090
7361 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, St. Peters, MO 63376
222 S Meramec Ave, Suite 203, Clayton, MO 63105
7751 Carondelet, Suite 204, St. Louis, MO 63105
7750 Maryland Ave, Unit 16739, Clayton, MO 63105
8151 Clayton Rd, Suite 201, St. Louis, MO 63117
9621 Olive Blvd, Ste 12454, Olivette, MO 63132
211 North Broadway, Suite 2150, St. Louis, MO 63102
Kirkwood Criminal Battery Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Criminal Battery attorneys in Kirkwood and checks their standing with Missouri bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
What Is Criminal Battery?
The crime of battery refers to an incident in which the offender engages in unlawful (and unwanted) harmful or offensive physical contact with the victim. Whether or not the contact needs to be intentional depends on the laws where the offense occurred, as what constitutes battery varies by state and jurisdiction.
What Are Some Types of Criminal Battery?
Criminal battery, or simple battery, is just one form of battery under U.S. federal and state law.
Sexual battery takes place when non-consensual touching, groping or other unwanted and offensive sexual acts are visited upon the victim by the offender. At a nightclub, if a man gropes a woman who is dancing without her consent, he may face charges related to sexual battery if the victim deigns to pursue the matter in court.
Family-violence battery, or domestic violence battery, takes place when a family member — typically a spouse ‚— is violent toward the victim.
Aggravated battery is an escalation of simple battery, and is typically charged when an instance of battery involves a deadly weapon such as a knife or gun, or when the battery results in serious bodily harm as concerns the victim. When a battery takes place against a protected class of persons (as a result of a hate crime, targeting police officers or other public officials, or targets the elderly, the infirm, or a child), aggravated battery charges may also be the end result.
What Is the Difference Between Criminal Assault and Criminal Battery?
The primary difference between criminal assault and criminal battery is that the former does not require that the offender actually made physical contact with the victim, while the latter holds this element as requisite for charges.
To provide an example, a man who threatens (seriously, and with intent) another patron of a football game with violence, making intimidating gestures and who throws an empty bottle at the victim and misses, could be charged with the crime of assault. Had the empty bottle actually struck the victim, the offender could instead be charged with battery.
What Are the Possible Penalties for Criminal Battery?
The penalties for battery range depending on the individual context of the case. If there is a beating or strike involved, or a wound created (bruise, gash, etc.) the maximum sentence is one year from the federal court. If a dangerous weapon is used, the maximum penalty jumps up to 10 years incarceration. Further, if there is an actual intent to commit murder, the maximum penalty is enhanced to 20 years in jail.
State laws vary in their treatment of criminal battery, generally distinguishing between simple battery and aggravated battery. Simple battery typically results in a first degree misdemeanor charge with a maximum sentence of one year in jail as well as a one year probation period. However, in some states, aggravated battery is classified as a second degree felony with a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment. This maximum penalty can be accompanied by mandatory minimum sentencing enhancements if a firearm is present during the commission of an offense, and even further enhancements apply if said firearm is discharged or is used to harm another.
How Much Jail Time for Criminal Battery in Missouri?
Simple battery typically results in a sentence of up to one year in jail for those found guilty, with most punishments being lessened for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders may see stiffer penalties in response to their convictions. By contrast, aggravated battery is typically categorized as a felony deserving of a sentence ranging from three to six years, or 10 or more years for repeat offenders — or for aggravated battery with one or more sentencing enhancements (as mentioned above) attached.
When faced with criminal battery charges, the best thing to do is contact a criminal battery lawyer as soon as possible. A criminal battery charge can be either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the state and also what happened. You won’t want to face these charges alone.