Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

My friend is being charged with Assault on a Minor & Child Endangerment. He is 19 and was provoked by a minor into fighting him. The minor is 16. My friend has no prior arrests. The minor only had a small bruise on his cheek after only getting hit twice in the face. What are some of the possibilities that he could face with these charges.

Thank you,

Amanda


Asked on 3/25/11, 5:52 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Terry A. Nelson Nelson & Lawless

When charged with a felony, you potentially face one or more years in prison if convicted, on a misdemeanor, you face up to 6-12 months in jail -- on each count. If you have priors, they are penalty �enhancements� under the 3 Strikes rules. If this constitutes a probation or parole violation, factor those new and old charge[s] in as well. Multiple counts and charges just make your situation worse, of course. Effective plea-bargaining, using whatever legal defenses, facts and sympathies there may be, could possibly keep you out of jail/prison, or at least dramatically reduce it, depending upon all the facts and evidence. Not exactly a do it yourself project in court for someone who does not know how to effectively represent himself against a professional prosecutor intending to convict. If you don't know how to do these things effectively, then hire an attorney that does, who will try to get a dismissal, diversion program, reduction or other decent outcome through plea bargain for you, or take it to trial. If serious about doing so, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me. I�ll be happy to help use whatever defenses there may be.

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Answered on 3/25/11, 6:25 pm


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