An assault or battery charge in Louisiana can carry serious consequences, from fines and probation to jail time and a permanent criminal record. Louisiana law treats assault and battery as distinct offenses — assault involves the threat or attempt of harmful contact, while battery involves the actual intentional use of force. The Ambeau Law Firm provides aggressive Louisiana assault and battery defense, combining a trial-tested approach with careful evidence analysis and fearless advocacy.
Understanding the Charge
Under Louisiana law, assault is an attempt to commit a battery or the intentional placing of another person in reasonable fear of receiving a battery. Battery is the intentional use of force or violence upon another person. The specific charge, and its penalties, depend on the facts — including whether a weapon was involved, the degree of injury, and the identity of the alleged victim.
Potential Penalties
Simple assault and simple battery are typically misdemeanors, but penalties escalate quickly when aggravating factors are present. A conviction can mean fines, probation, community service, and jail time, along with a criminal record that affects employment, housing, and professional licensing.
Building Your Defense
Many assault and battery cases turn on conflicting accounts of what happened. Defenses may include self-defense, defense of others, lack of intent, consent, or mistaken identity. We scrutinize witness statements, physical evidence, and the circumstances of any police investigation to identify weaknesses in the State’s case.
How The Ambeau Law Firm Can Help
If you have been charged with assault or battery in Louisiana, the decisions you make early can shape the outcome of your case. Contact us for a free consultation.