Assault Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah

An assault charge can have serious consequences, even if no one suffered significant injuries. Depending on the circumstances, prosecutors may pursue misdemeanor or felony charges that carry the possibility of jail or prison time, substantial fines, a permanent criminal record, and lasting consequences for your career, reputation, and future opportunities.

Many assault allegations arise from heated arguments, bar fights, domestic disputes, acts of self-defense, or situations where the facts are far more complicated than the initial police report suggests. Witnesses often provide conflicting accounts, and law enforcement may make an arrest before conducting a complete investigation.

If you have been arrested or are under investigation for assault, avoid speaking with police or attempting to explain your side of the story until you have consulted with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Salt Lake City. Even well-intentioned statements can later be used against you in court.

At Wasatch Defense Lawyers, our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined criminal defense experience and have handled 650+ jury trials. We thoroughly investigate every assault case, challenge unreliable evidence, protect your constitutional rights, and aggressively pursue the best possible outcome through negotiation or trial.

Different Levels of Assault Charges in Utah

Assault charges range from a Class B misdemeanor to a second-degree felony. Depending on the circumstances of the assault and on its results, a person convicted of assault could spend up to 15 years in prison.

Assault is typically considered a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to 6 months in jail. However, it can be classified as a Class A misdemeanor if the victim is pregnant or if the act causes substantial bodily injury to the victim. A Class A misdemeanor carries up to one year in jail and $2,500 in fines.

You can also face multiple counts of assault depending on the situation when you were arrested for the charge. For example, let’s say you got into a bar fight with three different people. You would then face three separate counts of assault. You only got into one fight, but it’s compounded due to the number of people involved. This means you could be facing up to 3 years in prison versus just the original 1 you would have faced with a normal Class A misdemeanor.

Aggravated Assault Charges in Utah

Aggravated assault is any assault that includes the use of a dangerous weapon. According to assault law, a dangerous weapon is any item that can cause death or serious bodily injury. Typically, aggravated assault is a second-degree felony that carries a prison sentence of 1-15 years and up to $10,000 in fines. If you are facing charges of aggravated assault, you could also be facing the additional charge of carrying a dangerous weapon with the intent to cause harm or to display it in a threatening manner. When your charges are compounded, it increases your potential jail time and any additional fines you might have to pay.(Utah Code §§ 76-1-601, 76-5-103)

Assault against school employees (76-5-102.3)

Someone who commits an assault, under Utah Code 76-5-102, or makes a threat of violence, under 76-5-107 against a public or private school employee or volunteer is guilty of a crime. The act is a crime if the assailant knows that the individual is acting within the mandate for his role at the school. In such a case, the offense is a class A misdemeanor. See the assault penalty under the various applications of the Utah state criminal code, below:

Assault against a peace officer or military service member in uniform (76-5-102.4)

It is a crime to commit an assault or make a threat of violence against a military member, including a National Guard member, or a state, local, or federal law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or special function officer.

• The crime is a class A misdemeanor (with certain exceptions) if the perpetrator knows that the uniformed person is acting within the mandate for his or her designated role.
• The crime is classed as a third-degree felony if the guilty person has a prior conviction for either a class A misdemeanor or a felony violation of the law under this section. Or, if he or she inflicted a significant injury on the victim, the felony charge applies.
• The crime is a second-degree felony if the perpetrator uses a dangerous weapon (Utah 76-1-601) or another approach that is likely to kill or severely injure the victim.

PENALTY: If convicted on assault charges for one of the above offenses, a sentence to time in jail or another correctional institution is imposed. The term is at least 90 days for the second offense, 180 days for the third, and each repeat offense after that.

Assault by a prisoner (76-5-102.5)

A prisoner is guilty of assault if he or she commits an act of violence with the intent to inflict bodily injury. The crime is a third-degree felony.

Propelling object or substance at a correctional or peace officer (76-5-102.6)

Under Utah 77-7-15, it is a crime if a prisoner or detained person propels any substance or object at a police officer, correctional officer, institutional employee, or volunteer. (There are certain exceptions under subsection 3.) The offense is a class A misdemeanor. Or, it is a third-degree felony if:

• The substance or object causes significant bodily injury to the officer, or
• The substance is urine, blood, fecal matter, vomit, or infectious matter (Utah 26-6-2), something carrying vomit or
  infectious matter, or the perpetrator’s saliva, and
• The actor knows he/she has hepatitis B or C, or HIV, and
• The substance contacts the eyes, mouth, part of the face of the officer or worker, or an open wound on that person.

PENALTY: A person may be subject to greater punishment for a crime committed under this provision of Utah law than under another section of the law. In such cases, prosecution and sentencing for the more severe offense may occur.

Assault against health care provider and emergency medical service worker (76-5-102.7)

It is a class A misdemeanor if a person assaults or threatens violence against someone he/she knows is an emergency medical service worker or health care provider. This law applies if the actor is not a prisoner or detainee (77-7-15) and the victim is engaged in emergency duties that are within his/her mandate when the assault occurs.

PENALTY: The perpetrator has committed a third-degree felony if he/she intentionally or knowingly causes significant bodily injury (76-1-601).

Disarming a peace officer (76-5-102.8)

A person breaks the law under Utah Code Section 3 if he/she intentionally attempts to remove or take a firearm or conductive energy device from someone he/she knows is a police officer. The same crime is committed if the person takes the firearm or device from the officer’s immediate presence, without the officer’s permission when the officer is engaged in activity within the mandate of his/her role.

Conductive energy device: a device designed to use an electrical current to impact someone’s control of their muscles.

PENALTY: A firearm violation under subsection 2 is a first-degree felony. A violation of subsection 2 involving a conductive energy device is a third-degree felony.

Propelling a bodily substance (76-5-102.9)

If someone propels any of the substances as described above in Utah Code 76-5-102.6 at any person, he/she has committed a class B misdemeanor (with certain exceptions in subsection 3). An offense under this section of the Utah Code is a class A misdemeanor.

PENALTY: If this section and another section of Utah law provide for prosecution and sentencing for a particular offense, the defendant may be prosecuted and sentenced under the section of the law calling for the more serious penalties.

Conviction of a crime described in Utah Code 76-5-102, as explained above, can result in jail time and a permanent criminal record. That can damage your ability to get a job in your field, rent a house, etc. It can severely affect your future if you are convicted of a second or third offense. If you are charged with assault, you need to work with an experienced assault defense attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah, to protect your rights and build the strongest case possible for your defense.

What Must Prosecutors Prove?

Being accused of assault does not automatically result in a conviction. Prosecutors must prove every required element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt.

Depending on the specific charge, prosecutors generally must establish:

• You intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly committed the alleged act.
• Your actions resulted in bodily injury, attempted bodily injury, or placed another person in reasonable fear of immediate bodily injury, depending on the offense charged.
• You were the individual responsible for the alleged conduct.
• If aggravated assault is alleged, prosecutors must prove the required aggravating factors, such as the use of a dangerous weapon or serious bodily injury.
• The evidence was lawfully obtained and properly preserved.
• Every required legal element has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

Our attorneys carefully analyze every aspect of the prosecution’s case to determine whether the evidence actually supports the charges or whether legal defenses may apply.

Common Defense Strategies

Every assault case is unique. The appropriate defense depends on the facts of the incident, the available evidence, and the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

Self-Defense

Utah law allows individuals to use reasonable force to protect themselves when facing an imminent threat of unlawful force. Many assault cases arise from situations where the accused was acting to protect themselves.

Defense of Another Person

The law may also justify using reasonable force to protect another person from imminent harm.

Defense of Property

Under certain circumstances, Utah law permits individuals to use reasonable force to protect their property from unlawful interference.

Mutual Combat

Some physical altercations involve both parties willingly participating in the confrontation. Determining who initiated the incident and whether criminal liability exists requires careful analysis.

Accident

Not every injury results from criminal conduct. Accidental contact or unintended injuries may not satisfy the legal requirements for an assault conviction.

Lack of Intent

Many assault charges require prosecutors to prove a particular mental state. If intent cannot be established, the prosecution’s case may be significantly weakened.

False Allegations

Assault accusations sometimes arise during family disputes, workplace disagreements, neighborhood conflicts, or other emotionally charged situations. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate whether the allegations are truthful.

Mistaken Identity

Witnesses do not always correctly identify the person involved in an altercation. Surveillance footage, digital evidence, and witness interviews may contradict the prosecution’s claims.

Constitutional Violations

Evidence obtained through unlawful searches, improper interrogations, or violations of your constitutional rights may be challenged before trial.

Evidence Used in Assault Cases

Assault prosecutions often rely on a combination of physical evidence, witness testimony, and electronic evidence.

Depending on the circumstances, prosecutors may introduce:

• Police body camera footage
• 911 recordings
• Medical records
• Photographs of injuries
• Witness testimony
• Surveillance video
• Ring doorbell footage
• Cell phone videos
• Text messages
• Emails
• Social media communications
• Police reports

Our attorneys carefully examine whether this evidence was lawfully obtained, accurately preserved, and presented in its proper context. We also investigate whether important evidence favorable to the defense has been overlooked.

Self-Defense Under Utah Law

Not every physical confrontation constitutes criminal assault. Utah law recognizes that individuals have the right to protect themselves and others in certain situations.

Reasonable Force

A person may use reasonable force when they reasonably believe it is necessary to defend themselves against the imminent use of unlawful force.

Defense of Another Person

Utah law may also allow the use of reasonable force to protect another individual from immediate harm.

Defense of Habitation

Under certain circumstances, individuals may be legally justified in using force to defend themselves or others inside their home or residence.

Every Case Depends on the Facts

Whether self-defense applies depends on the specific circumstances surrounding the incident, including witness testimony, surveillance footage, medical evidence, and other available evidence. Our attorneys carefully investigate every case to determine whether your actions were legally justified.

Can Assault Charges Be Dropped?

Many people assume that if the alleged victim no longer wishes to pursue charges, the criminal case will automatically be dismissed. In most cases, that is not how the legal process works.

Once criminal charges have been filed, the prosecutor—not the alleged victim—decides whether the case will continue.

Even if the alleged victim changes their story, refuses to testify, or requests that the charges be dropped, prosecutors may still proceed if they believe sufficient evidence exists.

That is why it is critical to begin building your defense as early as possible. Our attorneys carefully examine witness credibility, physical evidence, constitutional issues, and weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to pursue the strongest possible outcome.

Building a Strong Assault Defense

Successfully defending an assault charge requires more than reviewing the police report. Our attorneys conduct an independent investigation and carefully examine every piece of evidence.

Independent Investigation

We gather evidence, interview witnesses, and identify facts that support your defense.

Reviewing Video and Digital Evidence

Body camera footage, surveillance video, Ring cameras, cell phone recordings, text messages, and other digital evidence often provide important context that may contradict the prosecution’s version of events.

Evaluating Medical Evidence

Medical records, photographs, and expert opinions may help determine how injuries occurred and whether they are consistent with the allegations.

Challenging Constitutional Violations

We examine whether investigators lawfully obtained evidence and respected your constitutional rights throughout the investigation.