St. Louis Third Degree Assault Attorney

Have St. Louis police arrested you for third-degree assault? A simple altercation can quickly spiral into a serious criminal charge that can have long-lasting consequences for your freedom, reputation, and future. You need dedicated legal counsel who can protect your rights while seeking a positive resolution to the charges against you. Don’t leave the outcome of a prosecution for a third-degree assault offense to chance. Instead, get help from Richard H. Sindel, Inc. Through dark times, we turn on the light, providing you with a clear view of what you’re up against and how you can overcome it.

Contact us today for a free initial case review with a third-degree assault defense lawyer in St. Louis, and let’s discuss what our firm can do for you.

How Missouri Law Defines Third-Degree Assault Charges

Missouri law defines third-degree assault as knowingly causing injury to another person. The second-least severe form of assault under Missouri criminal law, third-degree assault is a class E felony, unless the assault occurs against a “special victim,” in which case the offense becomes a class D felony. Examples of individuals who qualify as “special victims ” under Missouri law include:

• Law enforcement officers assaulted in the course of their official duties or as a direct result of their duties
• Emergency personnel, such as firefighters, emergency room/trauma center/hospital staff, or emergency medical technicians, are assaulted in the course of their official duties or as a direct result of their duties
• Probation or parole officers assaulted in the course of their official duties or as a direct result of their duties
• Senior citizens
• Individuals with disabilities
• Vulnerable individuals
• Corrections officers assaulted in the course of their official duties or as a direct result of their duties
• Highway workers in a construction or work zone
• Utility or telecommunications workers assaulted in the course of their duties
• Employees of mass transit systems are assaulted in the course of their duties

Consequences of a Third-Degree Assault Conviction

A conviction for a third-degree assault charge can result in a range of criminal penalties for defendants, depending on the grading of the charge. For a class E felony, a defendant may face a prison term of up to four years and a potential fine of up to $10,000. For a class D felony, a defendant may face a prison term of up to seven years and a potential fine of up to $10,000. A defendant may also have to pay court costs and restitution, which reimburses a victim for financial losses caused by the assault, such as medical bills.

There may also be consequences beyond these penalties, such as potential immigration consequences for non-citizens and the loss of the right to own or possess firearms due to the felony nature of a third-degree assault offense. Furthermore, a conviction will mean having a criminal record that may appear during background checks for professional licenses, employment, or housing.

Defenses Against Third-Degree Assault Charges

Depending on the facts of your case, you may have various legal options for fighting back. Potential defenses against a charge of third-degree assault in St. Louis include:

• Lack of intent: The third-degree assault statute requires an offender to have knowingly injured another person, so a defendant may claim that they did not know that their actions would result in an injury.
• Lack of injury: A defendant may also argue that the alleged victim did not actually sustain an injury as required by the statute.
• Self-defense or defense of others: Defendants may assert that they used force against the alleged victim in order to defend themselves or third parties against aggressive or violent acts or a threat of injury posed by the alleged victim.
• Mistaken identity: A defendant may claim that someone else committed the alleged assault and that the alleged victim and other eyewitnesses have mistakenly identified the defendant as the assailant.
• Alibi: Defendants can also deny committing a third-degree assault by presenting alibi evidence to show that they were elsewhere when the assault occurred.
• Unlawfully obtained evidence or statements: Defendants may seek to exclude evidence from the prosecution’s case if police obtained that evidence through an unlawful search or secured inculpatory statements from the defendant during questioning that violated their rights.

An experienced St. Louis third-degree assault defense lawyer can review the evidence and circumstances surrounding your charges to identify potential defense strategies available to you.

What Steps Should You Take After an Arrest in St. Louis?

If you’re arrested in St. Louis on suspicion of committing third-degree assault, you can start preparing a strong defense by taking the following steps:

• Exercise your right to remain silent by declining to speak to the police, answer questions, or provide a statement.
• Ask to talk to an attorney as soon as possible, ideally while still in custody.
• Write down everything you can remember about the circumstances of the arrest, including the names of anyone who saw what happened.
• Avoid contacting the alleged victim or any eyewitnesses and refrain from discussing your case with anyone but your attorney.

How Can a Third Degree Assault Attorney Help?

Missouri prosecutes third-degree assault cases aggressively, and the St. Louis District Attorney’s office has considerable resources at its disposal. You need skilled legal representation of your own to level the playing field and fight back against the state. A seasoned third degree assault attorney from the criminal defense law firm of Richard H. Sindel, Inc. can help you by:

• Independently investigating to obtain evidence that may help you build a defense against the prosecution’s allegations
• Explaining the details of your case and potential outcomes so you can make informed choices at each stage of the prosecution
• Identifying potential defense strategies available to you based on the evidence we’ve uncovered
• Protecting your rights and pushing back if police obtained evidence or statements through unlawful searches or interrogations
• Vigorously pursuing the best possible outcome for your charges, even if that means going to trial to fight the prosecution’s allegations and assert your innocence

Why Choose Richard H. Sindel, Inc.?

While there are many defense firms in the St. Louis metro area, you deserve one that will turn on the light during your darkest times. Turn to the law firm of Richard H. Sindel, Inc. to help you fight a charge of third-degree assault in Missouri because:

• Our law firm has served the Missouri community since 1937. For decades, our attorneys have fought to protect clients facing charges that threaten their reputations and freedom.
• Our lawyers have earned a reputation among our peers in the legal profession for the high-quality representation we provide in some of the most challenging criminal cases.
• We’ve received accolades, including receiving the Charles M. Shaw Award and being named among the Best Law Firms by U.S. News and World Reports. Richard H. Sindel has been rated by Super Lawyers for 20 years.
• We thoroughly prepare every case, pursuing every avenue as we seek the best possible resolution under the facts and circumstances of your case.

Contact Our Firm Today for Dedicated Legal Advocacy in St. Louis

If you’ve been arrested on suspicion of committing third-degree assault in St. Louis, you need experienced legal counsel to help you protect your rights and your future. Contact Richard H. Sindel, Inc. today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced third-degree assault defense lawyer in St. Louis, and we’ll discuss your options in detail.