Riverside Battery Lawyer

Your Future Is Worth Fighting for After a Battery Accusation

A criminal charge goes beyond legal concerns; it affects many aspects of your life. An accusation of battery presents a direct challenge to your reputation, career, and personal well-being. Charges of violent crimes, such as battery, are often built on assumptions rather than concrete evidence. Police reports often fail to capture the complete picture.

As your Riverside battery lawyer, I dig into the details to uncover the truth. I tear apart the prosecution's narrative and present your side of the story. With 22 years of experience defending people across the Inland Empire, I know that early intervention can make a decisive difference. I work relentlessly to secure the best possible outcome for you.

What You Need to Know About Battery Charges in CA

Many people confuse assault and battery, but under California law, they differ significantly. You must distinguish between them, as the defense strategies vary depending on the charge.

Penal Code 242 defines battery as any "willful and unlawful use of force or violence upon the person of another". The key distinction is physical contact:

• Assault (Penal Code 240) is the attempt to use force.
• Battery is the actual use of force.

You do not need to cause pain or injury to face a battery charge. A shove, a spit, or knocking a phone out of someone's hand can technically constitute battery if done in an offensive or angry manner. The prosecution must prove you acted willfully — meaning you intended the action, even if you did not intend to break the law.

Types of Battery Cases I Handle

The prosecution often treats battery as a minor offense, but the consequences can be life-altering. I scrutinize every detail, from the extent of the injury to the intent behind the act, to challenge the specific charge selected by the District Attorney.

Misdemeanor Battery

I frequently defend clients against misdemeanor battery charges under Penal Code 242. This offense applies when the incident involved physical contact, but no serious injury occurred. I often argue for dismissal in these cases by demonstrating that the contact was accidental or that my client acted in self-defense.

Aggravated Battery (Causing Serious Bodily Injury)

I defend clients facing the serious "wobbler" charge of battery causing serious bodily injury under Penal Code 243(d). If the alleged victim suffered significant harm, such as a broken bone, the state can file this as a felony. I challenge the medical evidence to argue that the injury does not meet the legal threshold for a felony enhancement, working to keep the charge as a misdemeanor.

Battery on a Peace Officer

The state aggressively prosecutes any use of force against police officers or emergency responders. I counter this by rigorously analyzing the arrest report and body camera footage. If the officer acted unlawfully or used excessive force during the arrest, I would use that evidence to undermine the prosecution's case and fight the increased penalties associated with this charge.

Examples of How Everyday Situations Turn Into Battery Charges

As a Riverside battery lawyer, I often see these charges arise from:

• Bar fights and disturbances: Alcohol often escalates minor disagreements into physical altercations.
• Domestic disputes: Heated arguments between partners can result in accusations of pushing or grabbing.
• Misunderstandings: A friendly gesture interpreted as aggressive, or a crowded situation where incidental contact occurs.
• Workplace conflicts: Tensions boiling over between coworkers.

The Real Consequences of a Battery Conviction in Riverside

The consequences of a battery conviction depend heavily on the severity of the incident and the injuries sustained:

• Jail: Up to 6 months in county jail.
• Fines: Up to $2,000.
• Probation: Summary (informal) probation.
• Battery causing serious bodily injury (Penal Code 243(d)): If the alleged victim suffered a serious injury, the charge becomes much more severe. This is a "wobbler", meaning the prosecutor can file it as a misdemeanor or a felony.
• Felony jail time: 2, 3, or 4 years in state prison.
• Strike offense: A felony conviction can count as a "strike" under California's Three Strikes Law.
• Battery on a peace officer: If the alleged victim was a police officer or emergency responder engaged in their duties, penalties increase significantly.

Answers to Your Toughest Questions About Battery Charges

The legal process confuses many people. You likely have urgent concerns about your record and your freedom. Here are direct answers to the issues my clients face most often.

What If I Didn't Actually Hurt the Person?

You can still face charges. Penal Code 242 requires only the unlawful use of force or violence. The law considers "violence" to include any offensive touching. If you touched someone in a hostile way, the prosecution can file charges, even without visible injuries.

Can I Claim Self-Defense?

Yes. Self-defense is a valid legal argument if you reasonably believed you faced imminent danger of bodily injury and used only the force necessary to stop the threat. As your Riverside battery attorney, I often use this defense to show that my client was not the aggressor.

Is Battery Always a Misdemeanor?

No. While a simple battery is a misdemeanor, "Aggravated Battery" or battery causing serious bodily injury is a "wobbler”. If the injury is severe or if the victim belongs to a protected class (like a police officer), you could face felony charges.

What If the Contact Was Accidental?

Battery requires a "willful" act. If I can show the contact was accidental, for example, you tripped and fell into someone, I can argue that no crime occurred because there was no intent to use force.