Assault Defense Lawyer for Lehigh University Students

The last scenario that a college student wants to expose themselves to is being arrested for committing assault. Depending on the circumstances of your case, assault can be a crime that can result in a significant prison sentence if the defendant is convicted. If you are a student at Lehigh University and you were arrested for assault, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia assault defense lawyer.

At Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates, we are dedicated to providing you with the legal defense that you deserve. We understand that every person is entitled to competent legal defense despite making a poor decision in their life. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options, contact Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 607-7478, or contact us online.

Types of Assault Crimes in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, assault is a crime that is broken into various factors. Determining what type of assault a person is charged with depends on the circumstances of the defendant’s case. The following list details how assault charges are brought against a person in Pennsylvania.

Simple Assault

A person commits the crime of simple assault if they intentionally attempt to cause another person bodily injury. It is also possible to be charged with simple assault if you inflict enough fear in another person to make them believe they are in danger of imminent bodily harm.

Simple assault is a crime that often occurs because two or more people engaged in a fight. For example, multiple people throwing a few punches at a bar is likely to be charged as a simple assault. In some cases, it may even be possible to hit another person with a weapon and still be charged with simple assault as long as the person was not severely injured.

If a person is arrested for simple assault due to a fight that occurred by mutual consent, the offense will be graded as a third degree misdemeanor. In Pennsylvania, third degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $2,000 fine.

If the defendant is convicted of simple assault and they were not engaged in a fight by mutual consent, the offense will be graded as a second degree misdemeanor. Second degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a $5,000 criminal fine.

Simple assaults that occur against a minor under the age of 12 is another serious crime. Being convicted for this offense can result in a five-year prison sentence.

Aggravated Assault

The primary difference between simple assault and aggravated assault is that aggravated assault occurs when one person causes another serious bodily injury. This crime can be committed intentionally or with reckless disregard to the well-being of another person. Aggravated assault is a crime that is often committed with the use of a deadly weapon, like a knife.

Aggravated assault can be charged as a second degree felony or a first degree felony depending on the circumstances of the case. A second degree felony is punishable by 10 years in prison and a $25,000 criminal fine. If a defendant is convicted of a first degree felony, they can serve up to 20 years in prison and owe $25,000 in criminal fines.

To learn more about how a conviction for a crime like assault can affect your academic career, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia criminal defense attorney.

The Impact of a Conviction on Your Academic Career

Lehigh University is a prestigious institution that boasts one of the best research programs in the United States. As many individuals apply to the school, they have an extremely low acceptance rate of about 26%. When looking at this information, it is easy to understand how a conviction for a crime like assault can affect your academic career.

Every college has a student code of conduct that determines the appropriate manner of student behavior when representing the school. If you were convicted of assault or even just arrested for the crime of assault, this could violate the student code of conduct. As a result, your university may schedule a disciplinary proceeding to decide whether this offense will impact your status at the school.

If you have a scholarship or live on-campus, these privileges could be jeopardized by being arrested. However, our firm is prepared to help you defend against proceedings that are instituted by your school.

Our Philadelphia Criminal Defense Attorneys are Ready to Work with You

If you or a family member attend Lehigh University and was arrested for assault, contact an experienced Lehigh University criminal defense attorney. The legal team at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates possess over 30 years of combined legal experience that we will utilize to help you manage your assault case. You do not have to fight your criminal case alone, contact Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 607-7478 for a free consultation.