Are you facing criminal charges for assaulting another person with a gun or knife in Louisville, KY? If so, you owe it to yourself to battle back quickly and vigorously against the prosecuting attorney to make it as challenging as possible for them to convict you and send you to prison.
The experienced Louisville assault with a deadly weapon lawyer at Suhre & Associates, LLC, can help. Contact us at (502) 371-7000 to learn more. Your first consultation is free.
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How Our Louisville Criminal Defense Lawyers Can Help You Fight Criminal Assault Charges
Assault is a serious crime on its own. When you add a deadly weapon into the equation, things are taken to another level. The consequences of a conviction will change your life as you know it – probably forever. The only way to avoid a conviction or minimize the penalties you face is by defending yourself aggressively. Getting an experienced Louisville criminal defense lawyer from Suhre & Associates, LLC, to lead your defense is the great start.
When you hire our law firm, you’ll benefit from the experience and insight of a former police officer and a former prosecutor. Not only will that level the playing field, it can give you a leg up against the prosecution.
Here’s what you can expect from our defense team:
- Answering any questions you might have about the legal system
- Providing you with sound legal advice at every stage of your case
- Devising an effective defense strategy for your assault case
- Consulting with relevant experts about the nuances of your case
- Conducting a thorough investigation into the state’s allegations
- Working tirelessly to try to bail you out of jail
- Searching for evidence that may convince a jury to acquit you
- Negotiating a plea bargain deal with the prosecution
- Representing your best interests in court, if required
Do you want to have a seasoned assault defense lawyer from Suhre & Associates, LLC, help you fight back against your criminal charge? If so, please do not hesitate to give us a call to arrange a free initial consultation at our offices in Louisville, KY. We have been working on cases like yours for years – and we know what it takes to win.
Understanding Kentucky’s Assault with a Deadly Weapon Laws
The state of Kentucky defines a “deadly weapon” as:
- A weapon of mass destruction
- A weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or serious physical injury, may be discharged
- A knife – other than a hunting knife or pocket knife
- A nightstick, club, or billystick
- A slapjack or blackjack
- Nunchaku karate sticks
- Shuriken, or
- Artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other hard materials
When a Louisville resident uses a deadly weapon to injure another person, the police may arrest them and charge them with one of these crimes:
Assault in the First Degree
Section 508.010 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to intentionally cause serious physical injury to another person using a deadly weapon or instrument.
Louisville residents who violate this statute are guilty of assault in the first degree – otherwise known as aggravated assault.
Courts in the state of Kentucky generally classify this offense as a Class B felony.
Assault in the Second Degree
Section 508.020 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to:
- Intentionally cause physical injury to another person using a deadly weapon, or
- Wantonly cause serious physical injury to another person using a deadly weapon
Individuals who violate this law are guilty of assault in the second degree.
In Kentucky, assault in the second degree is a Class C felony offense.
Assault in the Third Degree
Section 508.025 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to recklessly use a deadly weapon to cause or attempt to cause physical injury to:
- A city, county, state, or federal peace officer
- An employee of a detention facility or residential treatment facility
- A social worker with the Department for Community Based Services – while they are performing job-related duties
- A paid or volunteer emergency medical worker – while they are performing job-related duties
- A paid or volunteer member of a fire department – while they are performing job-related duties
- A paid or volunteer member of a rescue squad affiliated with the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Military Affairs – while they are performing job-related duties
- A parole or probation officer
- An inmate transportation officer – while they are performing job-related duties
- A teacher, bus driver, or another school employee – while they are performing job-related duties
Louisville residents who break this law are guilty of assault in the third degree – a Class D felony.
Assault in the Fourth Degree
Section 508.030 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes explains that it is illegal for an individual to recklessly cause physical injury to another person using a deadly weapon or instrument.
Individuals who violate this statute are guilty of assault in the fourth degree – otherwise known as simple assault.
Kentucky courts classify this criminal offense as a Class A misdemeanor.
The experienced defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC, are well versed in all aspects of the Kentucky penal code. So, if a police officer in Louisville recently arrested you for assault with a deadly weapon, please reach out to us as soon as you can. We might be able to help you get your charges dismissed or reduced.
Consequences of a Kentucky Assault with a Deadly Weapon Conviction
When Kentucky courts find Louisville residents guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, they almost always hand them a substantial fine and imprisonment term. The exact nature of the offender’s penalties depend on the severity of their criminal offense:
- Class B Felonies: Up to 20 years in prison and a fine of as much as ten thousand dollars.
- Class C Felonies: Up to ten years in prison and a fine of as much as ten thousand dollars.
- Class D Felonies: Up to five years in prison and a fine of as much as ten thousand dollars.
- Class A Misdemeanors: Up to 12 months in county jail and a fine of as much as five hundred dollars.
Of course, people who commit assault with a deadly weapon in Kentucky don’t just receive a fine and a jail or prison sentence. They also receive a permanent criminal record.
Individuals with criminal records can experience a wide variety of collateral consequences to their actions, such as:
- Trouble Finding Housing: Landlords in Louisville do not usually like to rent their properties to convicted criminals.
- Difficulty Landing a Job: Many Kentucky employers have policies that prevent them from hiring people with criminal records.
- Professional Licensing Issues: Felons in the state of Kentucky often have trouble renewing their professional licenses.
- Loss of Gun Ownership Rights: The state of Kentucky does not permit felons to own, carry, or use firearms.
- Immigration Problems: Convicted criminals frequently have trouble getting their Green Cards renewed. Some even get deported.
Do you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to help you battle to avoid spending time in a state prison or living with the collateral consequences of a felony conviction? Then please do not hesitate to reach out to Suhre & Associates, LLC, in Louisville, Kentucky. We have the legal experience and statutory knowledge required to handle your case with the care and attention it deserves.
Defenses Against Kentucky Assault with a Deadly Weapon Charges
When Louisville residents get arrested on suspicion of causing bodily harm with a deadly weapon, they often think that it is just a matter of time before a court finds them guilty and sends them to prison. Fortunately, those individuals are frequently incorrect.
A strong defense can alter the course of your criminal case.
Defenses that can be effective in fighting charges for assault with a deadly weapon include:
Lack of Evidence
To land a conviction in the state of Kentucky, prosecutors must prove that the defendant committed their alleged crime beyond a reasonable doubt. To do so, they must typically present evidence to the jury. When lawyers argue that the prosecution does not have enough evidence to meet their burden of proof, they can often convince the jury to acquit their client.
Self-Defense
It is not unlawful for Louisville residents to use deadly weapons to defend themselves against imminent threats. So, if a defense attorney can prove that their client acted in self-defense, they may be able to get their case dismissed.
Innocence
Innocence is the best defense to just about every criminal charge. When a lawyer proves that their client was elsewhere or was with another person at the time of the assault, they typically have little trouble convincing the judge to dismiss the case.
Would you like to have a skilled attorney from Suhre & Associates, LLC, take a look at your assault with a deadly weapon case and help you put together an effective defense strategy? If so, please reach out to us as soon as possible to set up a free consultation at our Louisville law office. We have years of experience in the industry, and we are ready to go to battle for you.
Your Trusted Assault with a Deadly Weapon Lawyer in Louisville, KY
Over the years, the knowledgeable defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC, have helped countless Louisville residents fight back against their assault with a deadly weapon charge – achieving many favorable results along the way. If you would like to have us stand up for you, all you need to do is give us a call or contact us online today.
