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Misdemeanor Assault & Felony Assault Lawyer

Most states have provisions for varying degrees of assault. Assaults can range from simple assaults to aggravated assaults. Most assault charges stem from heated arguments that escalated too far, domestic violence, or sex crimes. An assault charge will be filed as either a misdemeanor criminal offense or a felony criminal offense, depending on the severity of the assault.

Types of assault charges:

Aggravated Assault
A threat meant to cause serious injury, typically with the use of a deadly weapon, or a threat against a child or elderly person.

Sexual Assault
Sexual acts performed against a person's will, ranging from indecent exposure to aggravated sexual assault.

Domestic Violence
Threats and acts of violence against a family member, typically resulting in jail time and the issuance of a restraining order.

Simple Assault
A threat of violence to a person that does not involve injury or a weapon.

Missouri categorizes the severity of assault charges into three categories:

  • First Degree Assault
  • Second Degree Assault
  • Third Degree Assault

First Degree Assault

A person who attempts to kill or knowingly cause or attempt to cause serious physical injury to another person may be charged with First Degree Assault.

Second Degree Assault

A person may be charged with Second Degree Assault if he/she:

  • Attempts to kill or knowingly cause or attempts to cause serious physical injury to another person under the influence of sudden passion arising; or
  • Attempts to cause or knowingly causes physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument; or
  • Recklessly causes serious physical injury to another person; or
  • Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of substances or drugs, acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to a person; or
  • Recklessly causes physical injury to another person by means of discharge of a firearm.

Third Degree Assault

A person may be charged with Third Degree Assault if he/she:

  • Attempts to cause or recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or
  • Acts with criminal negligence to cause physical injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon; or
  • Recklessly engages in conduct creating grave risk of death or serious injury to another person; or
  • Purposely places another person in harm's way of immediate physical injury; or
  • Knowingly causes physical contact with another person when such contact is known to be offensive or provocative; or
  • Knowingly causes physical contact with an incapacitate person.

If you or a loved one is facing an assault charge, it is important that you seek the advice of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. As former police officers and a prosecuting attorney, the defense attorneys at Millikan Wright LLC have a unique combination of experience and education to provide an aggressive defense against assault charges as well as other criminal charges.

Contact us online or call 314.621.0622 (877.621.0622 Toll Free) for a FREE consultation and learn how the law applies to your specific situation. As former police officers and a former prosecuting attorney, we know potential pitfalls in the investigative process. As criminal defense attorneys, we know how to afford you protection under the law. Our education and experience mak a difference.

The Missouri Criminal Defense Attorneys of Millikan Wright LLC focus serving the needs of the greater St. Louis Metropolitan area. On the Missouri side, our criminal lawyers defend people in St. Louis city, St. Louis county, Jefferson county, Franklin county, St. Charles county, and Lincoln county. On the Illinois side, our attorneys represent people hurt in Madison county, St. Clair county and Monroe county.