Misdemeanor Assault Attorney in Kansas City

Trusted Criminal Defense Firm for Assault Charges

When an act of violence occurs, from a quarrel between two people to a larger fight amongst several individuals, police officers are called to show up and make arrests of those perpetrating the event. Unfortunately, in the heat of the moment, members of law enforcement often arrest an innocent person, or completely misconstrue the actual contexts and circumstances of the supposed assault. When you are facing assault charges, even a seemingly minor one such as a misdemeanor assault can wreak havoc on your reputation and your liberty. Reach out to Steve Schanker, Attorney at Law to have a trustworthy misdemeanor assault lawyer in Kansas City on your side.

Contact him now at (816) 607-8860 to ask any questions you may have about assault misdemeanors in Missouri.

Understanding Misdemeanor Assault Types in Missouri

The state of Missouri declares that the crime of assault is organized into several primary categories: different degrees of felony assault, ranging from first to third degree, as well as misdemeanor assaults. Although the assaults in this final category are categorized as misdemeanors, these crime charges are still very serious, with differing levels of penalties for the different classes of misdemeanors.

Some common examples of misdemeanor assault in Missouri according to Missouri Ann. Stat. § 565.070. include:

• Threatening someone else to the point that they believe they will be greatly harmed.
• Recklessly inflicting some form of physical injury or suffering to another person.
• Trying to injure another individual, with or without a dangerous weapon.
• Behaving in a reckless manner that could kill or greatly injure another person.
• Purposefully offending or provoking another individual with physical contact or gestures.
• Purposefully seeking to provoke or offend someone who has been incapacitated.

Consequences of Misdemeanor Assault Charges

While the punishment for more severe levels of assault is more extreme – such as assault to the first and second degree – it is a major mistake to view the consequences of misdemeanor assault as light or inconsequential. If you received a lower-level classification of a misdemeanor assault, you could face 15 days in jail and have to pay $500 in fines. However, any prior charges could automatically transform your charge into a Class A misdemeanor, resulting in a full year of prison.

No matter what level of misdemeanor conviction you face, it is critical to know that it will permanently stain your record. Any future charges will incur harsher sentences of course, but even if you were never convicted of a crime for the rest of your life, you would still be hindered by your record every time you attempt to apply for a job, rent a home, or even seek a loan.

Why You Need Strong Legal Representation

One of the most terrifying aspects of a misdemeanor assault charge is that they can be interpreted differently by the prosecution. Even if you were only acting in self-defense, prosecutors can portray you as behaving recklessly, or somehow claim that you were intentionally planning on committing the assault all along. Having a powerful misdemeanor assault attorney in Kansas City can make all the difference in showing your side of the story to the court.

Call Steve Schanker, Attorney at Law today at (816) 607-8860 or contact him online so that he can provide you with aggressive representation.