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Assault

How to Support Someone Who Has Experienced Assault

man with hands on face

Assault is an incredibly challenging thing to deal with—especially sexual assault. Data shows that just 6 percent of sexual assaults in our country are ever reported to the police. For friends and family members, supporting a person who has been assaulted can help them overcome the challenges. In this article, you will find an overview of some of the key things that you can do to support someone who has experienced assault. 

Connect them With the Right Professional Resources

Dealing with a sexual assault or any other type of traumatic assault on your own is extremely hard. Victims need the right professional help. It is crucial that friends and loved ones encourage the victim to seek professional help from a qualified therapist or counselor or any other party. A trained professional can offer the necessary support, guidance, and resources to help the victim cope with the trauma. Offer to research and provide information on local rape crisis centers, counseling services, or support groups. Be prepared to help them make appointments and even accompany them to their first session if they need extra support.

Be Ready to Listen to Take their Concerns Seriously

Victims of sexual assault need to be heard and validated. Listening to them without judgment is an essential part of providing emotional support. Encourage them to talk about their experience and express their feelings. Be empathetic and offer support and comfort without trying to fix their problems. Let them know that they are not alone and that their feelings are valid. Of course, if they want advice and you can offer genuinely helpful advice—such as seeking professional support—sharing that guidance is appropriate.  

Do Not Pressure Them into Disclosing Details that they are Comfortable With

Never pressure a victim of assault to open up to you with more details than they are truly ready to share. It is essential to respect the victim’s boundaries and avoid pressuring them to share details they are not comfortable with. Let them control the pace of the conversation and what they want to share. Reassure them that you are there to support them, regardless of what they choose to disclose. Keep their disclosure confidential unless they give permission to share with others.

Facing an Assault Charge is a Serious Matter: We Can Help

Were you or a loved one arrested and charged with sexual assault? It is a serious criminal offence that requires a proactive approach. A conviction could cost you your reputation, your freedom, and even your future. Do not go up against law enforcement officers or prosecutors alone. It is imperative that you have a top legal advocate on your side. 

At N.J. Preovolos Law Corporation, our Vancouver criminal defence lawyer, has the skills and experience to handle the full range of assault charges. Contact us today for a strictly confidential initial appointment. With a legal office in New Westminster, we defend assault charges and sexual assault charges in Vancouver and throughout the surrounding region in British Columbia. 

Have You Been Charged With a Crime?

There is a lot to cope with when you are suspected of or charged with assault. The immediate downsides of getting charged with assault include keeping track of court dates and losing some of your privileges, such as being allowed to travel to specific regions or own a handgun. There may be life-altering consequences for your claimed crime and the harm it allegedly caused, which might even affect your family. Assault lawyers can help you get back on your feet and fight for your rights, so don’t hesitate to contact them.

Fortunately, a criminal defense lawyer in Vancouver, BC, is aware of the long-term consequences of an assault conviction. They can relate to it because they try to be in your shoes and know how desperate you are to get your life back. They will fight for you and keep you updated throughout the process to ensure your charges don’t jeopardize your life and future.

What can I expect from an assault attorney?

It is possible to employ a variety of defenses in an assault case. Claiming self-defense is a frequent argument that an assault lawyer might use on your side. If it is shown that you harmed another person to defend yourself or someone else, your charges may be dismissed. Self-defense is not usually the ideal strategy for criminal defense, although it may be advantageous in some situations. The best way to find out which legal choices and justifications are suitable for your case is to speak with a Vancouver assault lawyer.

Your lawyer is there to protect your interests

Getting legal representation while facing assault accusations is essential because you have a professional by your side to protect your interests. Because the Sixth Amendment protects the right to counsel in criminal proceedings, the state must appoint one for you if you cannot afford it. You have the right to counsel in most assault situations since even a minor assault may result in prison time in most states.

A qualified criminal defense counsel may also protect your other fundamental rights. You have the right to stay quiet if you contact one as soon as possible. (Remember they want to justify the attack by explaining what led to it. The number of defendants who confess to a crime while attempting to defend themselves in court is astounding.) Officers’ improper conduct, such as searches and seizures, may be detected by a skilled attorney.

Fighting at a trial

If you have ever seen “Law & Order,” you will know that criminal cases are more sophisticated than what you see on the show. A trial might be the last opportunity to avoid going to prison, from opening and closing speeches to calling witnesses to present evidence.

You may even avoid a trial if you have a lawyer on your side. A reputable assault lawyer in Vancouver may be able to bargain with prosecutors on your behalf and get the most favorable plea agreement. They know what prosecutors often give and how your situation might benefit your case. Even if you intend to plead guilty to a charge of assault, a skilled criminal defense attorney may assist you. Contact an attorney right away if you have been accused of assault.

Is an assault attorney able to help me reduce my charges?

When it comes to an assault charge, there are a slew of variables to consider. Depending on the severity of your allegations, a Vancouver assault lawyer may be able to work out a deal with the prosecution to lessen your penalties. Even if you are found guilty on your initial charge, your sentence may be much less severe than if you were found guilty on the lesser offense.

Learn what happens when you are arrested for a crime with the help of a lawyer

Regardless of where your case is in the legal process, an attorney may be an invaluable resource. You must see an expert criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible after being accused of a crime. Having an assault lawyer on your side from the beginning of the legal proceedings may be a significant advantage. The last thing you need is to face trial alone. You may choose to defend yourself, but that might not end too well. With a professional in criminal law, you can rest assured that they will have your best interests at heart. Contact an assault lawyer in Vancouver today!

What Kind of Lawyer Do I Need to Defend an Assault Case?

Assault charges have been filed against you. You may be wondering, “Do I need to employ a lawyer to represent me?” and other things along those lines. The answer is: Absolutely!

A good assault lawyer may make all the difference in the outcome of your case. To successfully defend yourself against an assault accusation, you will have to navigate a complicated criminal court system. The plaintiff’s lawyer will be trying to show your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt as well. In addition, you’ll face significant consequences that might change your life forever.

With the support of a Vancouver assault lawyer, you may avoid or lessen criminal sanctions by navigating the legal system and challenging the prosecution.

Do you need an assault lawyer?

The sooner you take action in your assault case, the better. Even in your first meeting with the police, what you say or do might have a significant influence on your case’s outcomes. You may believe that you may get out of trouble or establish your innocence by giving your side of the story. Unfortunately, law enforcement typically uses this information to develop a case against you.

If you face assault charges, you will want to consult with a criminal defence lawyer in Vancouver, BC, who can help you through the process. They will tell you what to say or how to answer queries (if any). You must avoid making remarks that might be used against you in court if you have legal representation.

When you hire an assault lawyer early on, they will have plenty of time to develop a defence for you. Defending yourself against criminal charges requires a lot of time and effort. Your lawyer has to know all the details of your case. These include what led to the charges, what occurred when the police arrived, and what transpired during the arrest. Additionally, they will need time to gather and preserve evidence, interview witnesses and research relevant case law.

Defences to assault charges

Case-by-by-case, the legal defences in assault and aggravated assault cases might be vastly different. As a result, you must retain the services of a Vancouver assault lawyer. Your assault lawyer in Vancouver can defend you against assault and aggravated assault charges using several standard arguments, including:

  • Self-defence

In assault situations, this is the most popular defence. There must be a threat of illegal force or violence against the individual, a genuine and honest fear of danger to oneself (with a good foundation), no harm or provocation on their side, and no reasonable prospect of fleeing or avoiding the circumstance to demonstrate self-defence. It is imperative that the force employed in self-defence be proportional to the danger presented by the attacker.

  • Defence for others

One distinction from self-defence is that the individual must believe that another person will be harmed by their actions. A defendant must have legitimate reasons for fearing their safety to claim this defence.

  • Protests for Property Rights

An assault defendant may argue that they acted to protect their property from being invaded or unlawfully taken. This defence often permits individuals to use reasonable force to protect their property, especially if that property is their own home.

  • Consent

Consent may be a defence in an assault case if a person has freely agreed to do a particular action. An illustration of this is when individuals participate in contact sports like wrestling or football.

  • Duress

Defence of coercion may be used when a person was compelled to participate in an activity that would be a criminal violation by the threat of imminent use of physical force that might cause significant bodily damage.

  • Necessity

Anyone who has committed acts that would ordinarily be deemed illegal but obliged to avert greater public or private harm may be eligible for this defence.

  • Lack of mental state

If a person was not in the proper mental state at the time of the violent crime, they might not be prosecuted for it since they don’t do the crime to cause bodily harm.

Consult with an Assault Lawyer in Vancouver

If you are facing assault charges in Vancouver, you will want to put up a solid legal defence to help you have the charges dropped. There are many different ways that an assault lawyer such as N.J. Preovolos Law Corporation may aid you in court. Contact them today to help argue your case.