Columbia Assault and Violent Crime Defense Lawyer

Defining Aggravated Assault & Battery in South Carolina

Aggravated assault is a different type of crime than battery under the law. If you are charged with one of these crimes, you need to know what each means and how one differs from the other.

What is the Difference Between Assault & Battery?

Here is a brief explanation:

• Battery — Battery means touching someone with the intent to harm them. Punching someone in the face and pushing someone against a wall are examples of battery.
• Aggravated assault — Aggravated assault is the act of causing a serious injury to someone, typically by using a weapon or some other “aggravating” factor.

These charges can be difficult to prove. Witness testimony may be unreliable. Doubt can be raised about the defendant’s actions. As a criminal defense lawyer experienced with violent crime cases, attorney Moses can help defend you against battery and aggravated assault charges.

What Are the Different Types of Homicide?

Homicide is an umbrella term that refers to the act of taking someone’s life. The law brings severe penalties to criminal homicides: a long prison term, a life sentence or the death sentence. The type of sentence depends on the specific charge and the details of the crime.

Common types of criminal homicides include the following:

• Manslaughter — Manslaughter refers to unlawful acts of killing committed through recklessness or negligence.
• Vehicular manslaughter — A driver whose negligent or unlawful behavior results in the death of another person may be charged with vehicular manslaughter. For example, a hit-and-run accident that results in a pedestrian’s death is considered vehicular manslaughter.
• Murder — Killing someone intentionally or as the result of extreme indifference to human life is considered murder. There are different categories of murder for different types of crimes. First-degree murder is the most serious and generally carries the most severe penalty.

The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC Legal Counsel

If you are charged with a violent crime, it’s in your best interest to retain an attorney immediately in order to protect your rights and to ensure that your case is handled properly and fairly as it moves through the legal system.

Former South Carolina prosecutor Marion Moses, who has handled many violent crime cases, founded The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC. We bring experience and familiarity with how the courts handle violent crime charges to bear on your case — and on that of every client.

Violent crimes are crimes that cause serious injury or death to the victim. The harshest penalties provided by the law — life in prison and capital punishment — are meted out to defendants found guilty of such crimes.

For your convenience, you may arrange a free, no-obligation consultation at our Columbia office in two ways: by calling 855-796-0188 or by messaging our firm. We serve clients throughout South Carolina.