Milwaukee Assault and Battery Attorney

Defending Those Accused of Assault and Battery in Milwaukee County

If you or someone you know has been charged with assault and/or battery in the Milwaukee area, you should be seeking professional legal help from a reliable and competent defense attorney. As a Milwaukee criminal lawyer, I may assist you with an effective criminal defense strategy. I focus my practice on representing clients in all types of criminal cases in the greater Milwaukee area, including those involving assault and battery, including aggravated assault, and domestic battery.

Are you facing an assault and battery charge in Wisconsin? Our Milwaukee assault and battery lawyer is ready to represent you. Contact The Law Offices of Jason D. Baltz today at (414) 375-0797 or contact us online to get started!

Battery vs Assault: What's the Difference?

Assault and battery are two separate criminal charges which are often lumped together. So what is the difference between assault vs battery?

The term "assault and battery" is often used to describe the crime of battery. In Wisconsin law, however, battery is defined as using force against someone with the intent to injure them. Assault generally refers to an action that causes another to fear bodily injury, though no physical contact may occur.

So, is battery a misdemeanor or felony? The crime of battery, under Wisconsin law, will be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the degree of bodily harm that is inflicted upon the victim.

What are the Penalties for Assault and Battery in Wisconsin?

Since Wisconsin law does not specifically address “assault,” it can be charged was disorderly conduct, which is a Class B misdemeanor that carries a maximum jail sentence of 90 days and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, assault may also be charged as threatening to harm someone, which is a Class H felony that punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 years and/or a maximum fine of $10,000.

The following is a breakdown of the battery charges in Wisconsin:

• Simple battery – Defined as the intentional use of force or violence against another person without their consent and causing physical harm. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor, which can result in up to 9 months of jail time and fines up to $10,000.

• Substantial battery – Defined as causing great or substantial bodily harm or other significant injury such as permanent disfigurement. This type of offense is usually considered a Class I felony charge with more severe penalties than simple battery, including up to 3 ½ years in prison and/or fines up to $10,000.

• Aggravated battery – When someone intentionally causes serious bodily harm, uses a dangerous weapon (such as a firearm), or commits the act with intent to steal or commit great bodily harm. This offense is a Class H felony.

What Constitutes Significant Injury or Bodily Harm?

If substantial injury or great bodily harm is caused, you may be charged with a felony. So what constitutes a significant injury or bodily harm? Great bodily harm means that the victim may have died, suffered serious permanent disfigurement, the impairment of a bodily organ or function permanently or for a lengthy period of time. How you are charged will depend on the facts of your case, including what happened to the alleged victim and what your intentions toward the alleged victim were at the time of the incident.

Qualified Criminal Defense – Proven to Work

Throughout a criminal trial, the prosecutor or law enforcement officials sometimes get carried away with showing proof of guilt and finding evidence that they end up compromising the constitutional rights of the alleged offender. With a strong legal ally by your side, you can prevent that from happening and have someone continuously watching out for you and protecting your best interests.

Regardless of the charges you may be facing, you do have options. Don’t lose hope, being arrested does not mean that you are guilty of the crime. By consulting with me, Attorney Jason Baltz, I can evaluate your case and suggest the proper plan of action and help form an impenetrable defense strategy. Having the counsel of a capable defense attorney is your first and often the most important step you can take in handling the charges against you.

Contact the Law Offices of Jason D. Baltz today to schedule a FREE Consultation with a Milwaukee assault and battery lawyer!