Attorney Joshua London Defends Clients Facing Domestic Violence Accusations in Minnesota
In Minnesota, domestic violence is any physical, emotional, sexual or other violence that takes place between intimate partners (of all sexual orientations) or between family members. Many Minnesota prosecutors take a hard line in domestic assault cases, making it difficult for some defendants to get a fair shake. It is important to retain a lawyer who will take an aggressive approach in defending your rights. The Minneapolis domestic assault attorneys at London Defense, PLLC have handled hundreds of domestic violence cases across the state and know what it takes to overcome these barriers to achieve a favorable outcome.
If you are facing charges for domestic violence in MN, Contact our Minneapolis domestic assault lawyers today!
What Is Domestic Assault?
Minnesota criminalizes domestic violence through its domestic assault statute.
Domestic assault essentially has two crimes:
- First, committing an act that causes fear of immediate bodily harm or death in a family or household member, and
- Second, intentionally inflicting or attempt to inflict bodily harm upon a family or household member.
This offense is a misdemeanor, but once an individual has one domestic assault conviction it’s possible that subsequent domestic assault charges will be charged as gross misdemeanors or felonies.
Minnesota Domestic Assault Penalties
The following are the penalties you may face for a domestic assault conviction in Minnesota:
- Domestic Assault: up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000
- Strangulation or Suffocation: up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000
- Second Offense: up to one year in jail and fine of up to $3,000
- Third or Subsequent Offense: up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000
Defense for Your Domestic Assault Case in MN
Having a conviction of domestic violence carries not only stiff penalties including jail time but also the loss of rights and privileges such as the right to possess a firearm, and in some states, voting privileges. Moreover, someone who is not a United States citizen may see his or her immigration status changed and deportation may occur. In many cases, the U.S. does not allow violent criminals to have or obtain visas.
If you have been accused of a crime related to domestic violence, you should acquire the help of a Minneapolis domestic assault attorney from London Defense right away. The repercussions can be quite severe, and in spite of what you have heard or even seen on TV, there is little chance of your case being dropped.
Minneapolis Assault Defense Attorneys
In Minnesota, assault is an act done to cause fear of physical harm or the actual infliction of physical harm to another. If the state has charged you with assault or domestic assault, you are likely facing severe, life-altering penalties. The Minneapolis assault crime attorneys at Brockton D. Hunter P.A. specialize in defending assault cases. Our assault attorneys have fought and won assault cases throughout Minnesota.
In Minnesota, assault charges have five classifications ranging from misdemeanors to felonies.
1st Degree Assault
First degree assault in Minnesota has two possible offenses. The first is an assault inflicting great bodily harm, and the second is an assault with deadly force against a police officer or correctional employee. This offense may be sentenced by up to 20 years in prison and/or up to a $30,000 fine.
2nd Degree Assault
Second degree assault in Minnesota occurs when a person assaults another with a dangerous weapon. The offense carries a sentence of up to 7 years in prison and/or up to a $14,000 fine, and if substantial bodily harm results, the sentence is up to 10 years in prison and/or up to a $20,000 fine.
3rd Degree Assault
There are three possibilities for third degree assault in Minnesota, all of which carry a prison sentence of up to 5 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine. First, if substantial bodily harm occurs. Second, if the assault is of a minor (child abuse) and the offender has a history of abuse against the minor. Third, if the assault is of a person under age four and bodily harm results.
4th Degree Assault
In Minnesota, fourth degree assault has many variations. This crime covers assaults against public officials, such as postal service employees, reserve officers, school officials, firefighters, police officers, and DNR employees. The sentences could be up to 3 years in prison and/or up to a $6,000 fine. The offense level can either be a gross misdemeanor or a felony.
5th Degree Assault
Fifth degree assault in Minnesota can be a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or a felony. The misdemeanor charge in Minnesota occurs when a person intentionally causes another to fear immediate bodily harm or death or when a person intentionally causes or tries to cause bodily harm to another. The gross misdemeanor level is a misdemeanor assault that occurs against the same victim within ten years as certain domestic violence offenses. The felony level is a misdemeanor assault that occurs against the same victim within ten years of two or more certain domestic violence offenses. Fifth degree assault also covers assaults using a firearm.
Federal Assault
Federal assault is generally governed by 18 U.S.C. § 113, and the sentence severity is highly dependent on the facts of each individual case. Assault with intent to commit murder, for example, carries a sentence of up to 20 years. Assault by wounding another carries a sentence of a fine and/or up to 6 months in prison.