Assault charges in Minnesota can range from fifth-degree assault, which is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, to first-degree assault, which is a felony punishable by up to 30 years. The level of charge depends on the details of your situation, including how much harm you caused and your criminal history.

In some states, the threat of violence or attempted violence is typically charged as assault, while the actual act of causing someone bodily harm is charged as battery. In Minnesota, there is no battery offense. Everything that is typically covered by “assault and battery” is charged as assault in our state.

Aggravated assault is when the assault resulted in significant bodily harm, such as a broken bone or a serious laceration, or a dangerous weapon was used, such as a knife, bat, or gun. Aggravated assault is a felony and carries significantly higher penalties than simple assault.

Assault against someone from your own family or household can be considered domestic violence. This can include a spouse or ex-spouse, children, parents, relatives, co-parents, a serious partner or sexual partner, or someone living in the same house. Domestic assault charges usually involve protection orders on top of the criminal charge.

Common defenses against an assault charge include self-defense or defense of others, that the accuser misunderstood a threat, or that harm wasn’t intended. We can also use your positive criminal record and other mitigating factors to argue that your charges should be reduced or dropped entirely.