In Iowa an assault can be a misdemeanor or a felony. Felony charges carry more substantial penalties, but both misdemeanors and felonies can leave you with a conviction that could stay on your record permanently. Any conviction can limit future employment options, and a domestic assault conviction can prevent you from owning a firearm.
Dismissal
An attorney knows how to evaluate the evidence in your case to determine if a legal issue could cause the case to be dismissed. If law enforcement got the evidence against you illegally prosecution cannot proceed. If a change in the law hadn’t gone into effect when you were charged the case might have to be dismissed. If your actions had legal justification, the case may be dismissed. An attorney understands and looks for possibilities such as these when he reviews the evidence against you.
Reduction
Even in cases where nothing exists that would get rid of the case entirely, there might be an issue that could get charges reduced. If the attorney can only convince the prosecution to reduce charges from an aggravated misdemeanor to a simple misdemeanor it makes a difference in the penalty you receive. If the attorney gets charges brought down from a felony to a misdemeanor the difference in penalties can be huge.
Trial
Sometimes no amount of negotiating your case with prosecution seems to help. The prosecutor refuses to offer anything acceptable so your only choice is going to trial. Attorneys know how to select a jury, how to present evidence, and how to give you the best chance of winning.
Talk to a Defense Attorney
Hiring a criminal defense attorney gives you a lawyer who is not only trained in the law, but who also has experience in the type of case you are facing. That experience can make the difference between dismissed charges and a jail sentence.
