Shreveport Assault & Battery Defense Attorney

Assault and battery charges in Louisiana range from simple misdemeanor offenses to serious felonies carrying decades in prison. Whether you are facing a simple battery charge from a bar fight or an aggravated assault charge involving a weapon, the stakes are mandatory high and the time to act is now. A conviction for assault or battery can result in jail time, substantial fines, a permanent criminal record, and in serious cases, the loss of your right to own a firearm.

I have defended clients against assault and battery charges throughout Shreveport, Bossier City, and Northwest Louisiana for more than 30 years. I know how these cases are prosecuted, how the evidence is typically presented, and how to build the strongest possible defense on your behalf. Do not speak to law enforcement before contacting me.

Understanding Assault And Battery Under Louisiana Law

Louisiana law treats assault and battery as separate offenses. Understanding the distinction is important:

• Assault — an intentional attempt or threat to commit a battery upon another person, causing a reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. No physical contact is required for an assault charge.
• Battery — the intentional use of force or violence upon another person, or the intentional administration of a poison or other noxious liquid or substance to another.

Both offenses are further divided into simple and aggravated categories depending on the circumstances, the degree of harm caused, and whether a weapon was involved.

Types Of Assault And Battery Charges In Louisiana

The specific charge you face will determine the potential penalties. Common assault and battery charges I defend in Shreveport and Bossier City include:

• Simple assault — misdemeanor; up to six months in jail and fines.
• Simple battery — misdemeanor; up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000
• Aggravated assault — felony; Mandatory jail time to one year depending on circumstances
• Aggravated battery — felony; up to ten years in prison with or without hard labor
• Second degree battery — felony; up to five years in prison
• Domestic abuse battery — carries mandatory minimum sentences and escalating penalties for repeat offenses
• Battery of a police officer or other protected person — enhanced penalties apply

Common Defenses In Assault And Battery Cases

Assault and battery cases are highly fact-specific, and the right defense depends entirely on the circumstances. Common defenses I use in these cases include:

• Self-defense — Louisiana law allows the use of force to protect yourself from imminent harm; I will examine every detail to determine whether self-defense applies in your situation
• Defense of others — using force to protect another person from harm is also a recognized defense under Louisiana law
• Lack of intent — battery requires intentional conduct; accidental contact does not meet the legal definition
• Mutual combat — when both parties were willing participants, the circumstances of the altercation matter significantly
• False accusation or mistaken identity — assault and battery allegations are sometimes exaggerated or entirely fabricated; I will challenge the credibility of witnesses and the reliability of the evidence
• Constitutional violations — if your arrest or the investigation involved improper procedures, that evidence may be suppressible

Your Future Deserves a Powerful Defense

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Serving Shreveport, Bossier City, And Northwest Louisiana

I represent clients facing assault and battery charges throughout Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, Lincoln Parish, Webster Parish, Jackson Parish, Vernon Parish, and Natchitoches Parish. If you have been charged with any form of assault or battery, contact me right away.

Contact A.J. Hodges, IV About Your Assault Or Battery Charge

Call 318-990-1089 to reach my Shreveport office. You can also contact me online. The sooner I am involved in your case, the more options we will have.