Chester County First Degree Assault Penalties

In Chester County, Pennsylvania, aggravated assault felony of the first degree, commonly referred to as first-degree assault, is taken very seriously by both the courts and the prosecution. The main reason is that in order for them to have become involved in such a case, one of two scenarios must have taken place: either serious bodily injury has occurred to a person, or the attempt to cause serious bodily injury or death has been unsuccessfully attempted.

Because of this the courts in Chester County, as well as the legislature in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, view these charges as grave offenses.  If you find yourself charged with an offense of this nature, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. A knowledgeable attorney will not only help you understand the penalties involved but also help you mitigate the damages and potentially reduce your sentence.

Criminal Consequences

Someone being prosecuted for aggravated assault felony of the first degree involving serious injuries often can face long periods of incarceration and other typical forms of supervision. Additional penalties can include up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution and fines.

By statute, a felony of the first degree can carry up to 20 years’ incarceration and a $50,000 fine. However, these charges are often filed in conjunction with others, thus raising the maximum sentence of such crimes far above the 20 years and $50,000.

Aggravated assault felony of the first degree is among the most grievous crimes outside of homicide. This is because,  while the end result was not a death, it could arguably have been the intent, which is among the elements the court will be working to determine and the defense will be looking to disprove. Ultimately, it is the combination of charges that leads  the prosecution to build up a case against an individual and to pursue the most severe combination of penalties.

How An Attorney Can Help

The minimum sentences in and of themselves which the legislature has provided is incentive enough to reach out and obtain the services of an experienced assault lawyer. Only then can a person truly understand the system and the means necessary to defend against such a crime and have the best opportunity of putting together any possible defense or mitigation to try to avoid the type of incarceration sentences that the legislature has authorized the courts to give.

Having an experienced lawyer by your side is the most important factor in defending any case where someone has been hurt. In cases involving first degree felonies, where the consequences are far exceeding any reasonable consequences, it is imperative. Having the right lawyer prevents the Commonwealth from taking statements that can otherwise be used and misrepresented against an accused. It keeps the police from twisting a defendant’s  words because all conversations will go through an experienced lawyer before the police even become involved with questioning.

Once an attorney represents you, they can take on the task of auditing all materials, handling all communication with the prosecution, and building the strongest possible defense in your case. Knowledge, experience and resources are at the heart of winning a case. These qualities, combined with a strong defense, will be more readily available to you with the help of a qualified attorney. The combination can more easily create reasonable doubt, possibly lead to an acquittal, and mitigates sentences so that an individual charged even with the most serious assault charge can often find themselves in a position of being much freer and much safer at the end of the case.