You're not a violent person, and you never expected to end up in a physical altercation with your roommate, neighbor or some stranger at a bar -- but it happened. Now, the police are involved and you're worried you may end up facing charges (even if the other guy...
assault and battery
Can you legally defend yourself using violence in North Carolina?
There's an old saying that "violence begets violence." For the most part, that's true -- especially when someone is put into a position where they feel like they have no choice but to aggressively defend themselves against harm by another. But do you actually have the...
What does assault and battery mean?
You were angry and lost your temper. You overreacted to something and started to shout. You got so upset that you even poked your finger at the chest of the other party and made a few threats. Just the same, you certainly didn't expect to find yourself in handcuffs...
What is a serious bodily injury?
A criminal charge for assault can change depending on the nature of the situation and the injuries sustained. One important factor the prosecutor will consider is if there was a serious bodily injury. According to the UNC North Carolina Criminal Law blog, serious...
Standoff and stabbing in Asheville raises questions
Crimes of passion can get the better of anyone—hence the name. If someone gets heated, they may act irrationally. This does not excuse the results, especially when lethal intent combines with deadly force. A standoff in Asheville shows how a situation can devolve...
Do assault and battery always involve injury?
Assault and battery can be confusing legal terms. Because authorities often charge both at the same time, many people use the two words interchangeably, but they actually refer to two separate crimes. If you had a confrontation with someone who suffered no injury as a...
Aggravated assault charges in North Carolina
When tensions escalate into physical altercations between people in North Carolina, the repercussions may be serious and long-lasting. This is particularly true in cases involving alleged attacks that involve the use of weapons and result in serious bodily injuries to...
Assault and battery in North Carolina may lead to prison time
Assault and battery are often lumped together when an individual is charged with a crime, but they are two separate legal terms. In some states, assault and battery are two separate charges and in other states they are lumped together into a single charge. In North...