Assault Charges

First-Degree Assault

Second-Degree Assault

Third-Degree Assault

Fourth-Degree Assault

Fifth-Degree Assault

Felony Assault

Misdemeanor Assault

Other violent crimes

Call our assault charge attorneys 24/7 at 612-910-2104 if you or someone you know is being investigated for, charged with, or has been convicted of any sort of assault crime in Minnesota.

Arguments escalate quickly. If you or someone you know is charged with assault anywhere in Minnesota, call Wilson & Clas to speak with an assault defense lawyer as soon as possible. The firm has significant experience defending against assault charges at misdemeanor and felony levels, including having tried numerous assault cases to juries, raising self-defense as a legal defense to allegations of assault, and securing pre-trial dismissal of assault charges through negotiations with prosecuting attorneys.

Generally speaking, there are five levels of assault charges in Minnesota: fifth-degree, fourth-degree, third-degree, second-degree, and first-degree assault. These charges range in severity from a misdemeanor (fifth-degree assault) to serious felonies (first-degree assault).

A conviction for assault trigger the imposition of jail time or prison time if it is not handled correctly. Additional consequences frequently include:

• The loss of employment, loss of housing eligibility, and/or the loss of professional licensure (attorneys, medical professionals, social workers, etc.)

• Chemical dependency treatment for drugs or alcohol

• Anger management or other behavioral therapy

• Court-ordered counseling

• Community Service/Sentence-To-Service (STS)

• Hefty fines, fees, and restitution

• Mandatory rehabilitative programming

Mandatory Sentences

In Minnesota, first-degree assault of a peace officer under Minn. Stat. § 609.221 subd. 2, carries a 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentence. All convictions under this statute have a presumptive sentence of 120 months (or the presumptive sentence under the felony sentencing grid, whichever is greater). The 120-month mandatory minimum also applies to attempts to commit first-degree assault of a peace officer.

Likewise, if an offender is confined serving an executed prison sentence at the time of an assault or escape, the presumptive disposition is always commitment. Assault against personnel at a secure treatment facility while committed for treatment will also always have a presumptive disposition of commitment.

Collateral Consequences

A criminal conviction for assault also has the potential to trigger consequences in a collateral civil lawsuit. Put simply, if you are convicted and then sued, it becomes very difficult to defend against the civil lawsuit. This could cause serious financial hardship.

Call an assault defense lawyer in Minneapolis with experience raising self-defense and other claims on behalf of their clients.

Call our assault charges law firm TODAY at 612-910-2104 for a free consultation if you or someone you know is charged with or convicted of any form of assault or violent crime.