So, you’ve just finished a nice dinner out with your family and while walking to your car a stranger approaches you and asks for change.  You reply that you are empty-handed, but the person insists you must have some money.  Feeling tired and annoyed, you engage in a verbal confrontation, pushing the stranger so he will leave you alone.  As a result of your push, the stranger stumbled, fell to the ground, and cuts his arm.  Now what?

It’s important to know that simple assault charges in Arizona are taken very seriously and the punishment increases with the severity of the assault, as well as the number of convictions you’ve had.

A misdemeanor assault (as described in the story above) is punishable by up to one year in prison, along with a $2,500 fine.  This level of assault is specifically defined as:

• Intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing any physical injury to another person; or
• Intentionally placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent physical injury; or
• Knowingly touching another person with the intent to injure, insult or provoke such person.

Additionally, endangerment can also be classified as a misdemeanor in Arizona.  This includes a situation where a person’s actions recklessly endangering another person with a substantial risk of physical injury.

It’s important to know how Arizona law enforcement may react to your actions.  Instead of taking physical action against a stranger or anyone, call 911 immediately and get you and your family to a safe location until help arrives.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of having committed an assault, contact the attorneys at Petersen Johnson for a free consultation.  We protect YOUR rights.

- T. Jacobs